Bahrain’s Tourism Minister Inaugurates Middle East's First Gastronomy Forum

TDT| Manama

Email: ashen@newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain marked a historic moment today as Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, inaugurated the Middle East’s first-ever edition of the World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism.

Addressing the gathering at Exhibition World Bahrain, she described the event as a transformative milestone, emphasizing its alignment with Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy 2022-2026. 

Opening her remarks, Al Sairafi expressed gratitude to the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unwavering support in making this event a reality. She also thanked the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for selecting Bahrain as host, underscoring the Kingdom’s dedication to advancing tourism and showcasing its cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions. 

“This forum serves as an exceptional platform for global dialogue and cooperation in gastronomy tourism,” Al Sairafi noted, emphasizing the sector’s growing importance as a global economic driver. She highlighted Bahrain’s recent successes, with the tourism sector seeing a 25% increase in visitor numbers and a 32% rise in revenues in 2023, alongside a 10.7% growth in the accommodation and food services sectors. 

Al Sairafi celebrated the forum’s diverse participation, with experts from 50 countries and over 500 delegates gathering to share insights and best practices. “This exchange of perspectives enriches our discussions and inspires innovative solutions,” she said, calling for a collaborative approach to amplify the potential of gastronomy tourism. 

Describing gastronomy as more than an industry, Al Sairafi framed it as a “bridge that connects cultures, celebrates diversity, and empowers communities.” She urged participants to seize the opportunity to foster innovation and sustainability, emphasizing the need for an interconnected future where gastronomy tourism plays a pivotal role. 

“As we shape the future of gastronomy tourism, we must work together to create a more inclusive and sustainable sector that benefits not just our region, but the global community as a whole,” she concluded. 

The forum, which runs through November 19th, is expected to leave a lasting imprint on Bahrain’s tourism landscape, showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to global collaboration and its vision of using gastronomy as a driver for economic and cultural development.