The Bahrain Ministry of Culture and Information has sketched out the Kingdom’s plans to double the percentage of the country’s GDP income from tourism.
“Tourism plays a big role in Bahrain’s GDP and currently represents 12% of total income, with this figure expected to rise to 25% over the next ten years. Both the government and private sector have made considerable investments in to the country’s tourism infrastructure, with more than 20 five-star properties expected to come online in the next three to four years,” said Essa Hassani, senior marketing specialist for the tourist section of the Bahrain Ministry of Culture and Information.
Hassani added that while the country would retain its focus on visitors from the GCC, which make up 90% of the current market, the cruise market represented a great opportunity to target visitors from further afield.
“We will also look to traditional Western tourism markets to supplement Bahrain’s fledgling cruise industry. Currently we have three cruise ships a week docking in the Kingdom, representing 120,000 passengers a year. We hope to double that in the next two years,” he said.
He was speaking as Bahrain prepares to showcase its tourism product at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will be held at Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre from May 5-8.
ATM organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has revealed that the UAE will head up the largest delegation at this year's show.
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“With ever-tightening marketing budgets, we are seeing regional and international companies and national tourism bodies only ready to commit to best-in-its-class events which generate viable business opportunities,” said Mark Walsh, group exhibitions director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
“The very positive sign-up for Arabian Travel Market, in the midst of what is happening around the world, is testament to both what we are trying to achieve and the Middle East’s significant potential as a principal tourism centre.”
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