Bahrain, US committed to enhancing tourism ties

TDT | Manama       

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi has highlighted the longstanding ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the US and the increased cooperation in the tourism sector.

She noted the importance of promoting bilateral tourism collaboration, which in turn will further consolidate economic, trade, social and cultural relations.

The Minister was speaking as she received yesterday a US Congress staff delegation as part of their visit to the Kingdom. During the meeting, Al Sairafi highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to support international efforts related to the development of the tourism industry globally.

These efforts also serve to help the recovery of the tourism sector following the pandemic, she added. Dr Nasser Qaedi, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), provided the visiting American delegation with a brief presentation on some of the highlights of the tourism strategy for Bahrain until 2026.

This strategy originated as part of the economic recovery plan announced by the government at the end of 2021. Dr Qaedi reviewed many of the ongoing major tourism infrastructure projects especially the “Exhibition World Bahrain.”

One of the newest exhibition centres in the Middle East, with 10 halls and a large conference hall, the event is expected to incentivise greater numbers of businesses and industries holding conferences and exhibitions in the region.

Dr Qaedi explained that the recovery rate of the tourism sector was at 82% compared to the pre-pandemic period. He pointed to the quarterly economic report for the second quarter of 2022, which indicated that the hotel and restaurant sector continued to record the highest growth rates for nonoil related sectors in the Kingdom, achieving annual growth of 18.1% whilst maintaining constant prices.

The CEO said Bahrain has redoubled its efforts to access the main markets for tourists around the world and succeeded in building partnerships with 76 international tour operators.