Bahrain Eyes Greater Chinese Tourist Influx Through Strategic Partnerships

Minister of Tourism Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi has affirmed the strength of Bahrain-China relations, particularly in the tourism sector, noting both countries' mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation and expanding their strategic partnership.

Her remarks came during a meeting with a high-level delegation from China’s Guangdong Province, led by His Excellency Liu Hongbing, Deputy Governor of the Provincial Government. The delegation included officials from the sectors of culture, tourism, sports, and foreign affairs.

Minister Al Sairafi emphasized that China remains one of the Kingdom’s key target markets under Bahrain’s 2022–2026 Tourism Strategy. She highlighted Bahrain’s continued efforts to promote its tourism offerings in China through partnerships with major travel companies and tailored campaigns based on the preferences of Chinese travelers.

She added that Bahrain is working closely with tour operators and agencies in China to launch customized tourism packages. The goal is to attract more Chinese visitors and bolster collaboration in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector through coordination with top Chinese firms.

During the meeting, both sides discussed avenues to deepen tourism collaboration with Guangdong, explore opportunities for knowledge exchange, and consider joint tourism initiatives and events. Al Sairafi noted that the launch of Gulf Air’s direct flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai has significantly boosted efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic and tourism sectors.

Minister Al Sairafi expressed Bahrain’s eagerness to build on its existing relationship with China, aiming to unlock new areas of cooperation—especially in sustainable tourism, the exchange of tourism and investment delegations, and the promotion of Bahrain’s rich cultural, historical, and natural assets.

For his part, Deputy Governor Liu Hongbing expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome, affirming Guangdong Province’s keenness to strengthen its cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain and pursue initiatives that would further enhance tourism and cultural ties between the two sides.