Bahrain, Kuwait sign tourism cooperation agreement

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Bahrain Exhibition and Tourism Authority (BETA), has underscored the importance of advancing cooperation between Bahrain and Kuwait to achieve more integrated horizons in various fields.

The minister highlighted the strong bonds uniting the two countries, founded on a history of brotherhood and guided by the vision and directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait.

The tourism cooperation agreement for 2024–2026 aims to enhance collaboration in tourism promotion, marketing, and activation. It seeks to develop cooperative opportunities that reflect the strong ties between the nations, encouraging entrepreneurs and investment firms in both countries to establish joint tourism projects. The agreement also focuses on promoting tourism-ready investment opportunities and coordinating the exchange of legislation and regulations related to tourism and hotel activities.

Minister Al Sairafi reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening Gulf cooperation to boost inter-tourism, creating a comprehensive regional tourism system that enhances its contribution to the GDP. She noted that the GCC countries are vital tourism markets as outlined in the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026, and the agreement with Kuwait supports this strategy's objectives and unifies efforts to develop the tourism sector in collaboration with the private sector.

The minister affirmed Bahrain’s dedication to launching joint tourism packages celebrating Gulf identity, especially with Manama being selected as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2024. She emphasized that Bahrain will continue promoting tourism exchange and cooperation by facilitating joint tourism programmes at competitive rates, positioning the GCC region as a unified destination. This will highlight the rich Gulf culture and foster the development of a promising sustainable tourism sector in the region.