Bahrain Prepares to Launch Timeshare Holiday Model with New Law

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain is moving closer to offering Timeshare holiday options—a shared ownership model where multiple people buy the right to use a holiday home for set periods—as the Shura Council prepares to vote on a new law on Sunday aimed at making holiday ownership safe and straightforward for visitors and property owners alike.

Following lengthy discussions and legal refinements between the Shura Council and Parliament, the proposed law aims to bring Bahrain’s Timeshare offerings in line with international standards. By formally establishing Timeshare, it seeks to make Bahrain more attractive to visitors and investors, strengthening the tourism sector.

The Services Committee, chaired by Jameela Al Salman, has backed the draft, seeing it as a way to increase visitor confidence and fill Bahrain’s holiday units. If passed, the law will cover six main areas: licensing, contracts, inspections, judicial oversight, consumer rights, and criminal liability. Key features include a cooling-off period for buyers, clear advertising standards, and inheritance rights for families.

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, have voiced strong support, viewing Timeshare as a means to broaden holiday options and boost occupancy in the tourism sector. Timeshare arrangements offer an alternative to traditional accommodation, creating new income opportunities for tourism businesses.

The law has also gained backing from the Survey and Land Registration Bureau and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, who agree with the committee that a well-defined framework will help protect buyers and provide stability in the market. The Services Committee has recommended several amendments to the draft, including references to Bahrain’s Civil and Commercial Procedures Act to clarify the appeals process and standardising terms to ensure consistency. One amendment specifies that ‘all necessary documents’ must be provided for licensing, removing any possible ambiguity.

The draft law will go to the Shura Council on Sunday, where members will review the committee’s recommendations. If approved, the law will establish a Timeshare system recognised internationally, creating a solid foundation for consumer rights and building confidence in Bahrain’s tourism and property sectors.