Bahrain set for major tourism boost with F1 weekend

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Tourism Ministry has completed all its preparations to organise the 2024 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix season through a variety of events.

This is in coordination with the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) as well as the public and private sectors.

These events support the tourism programme accompanying this prominent global sporting event hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) have intensified their efforts this year to celebrate an exceptional edition of the Formula One race in the Kingdom as the Bahrain International Circuit celebrates its 20th anniversary of hosting F1 races under the "20 Years of Making History" phrase.

Several marketing campaigns and promotional activities were organised for the F1 race, to attract more tourists from several markets around the world, supported by several partnerships concluded with international tour operators.

Tourism Minister HE Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi stressed that the Formula One race is a key element of the success of the tourism strategy of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the years 2022-2026, as it goes hand in hand with sports tourism, placing major sporting events among the priorities of tourism growth as the Kingdom attracts more major international sporting events, which will have a significant impact on moving the tourism sector to a wider level of growth, prosperity, and diversity, enhancing its position as a preferred regional tourist destination regionally and globally.

Minister Al Sairafi explained that over the past two decades, the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has achieved outstanding tourism benefits while doubling occupancy rates and enhancing the supporting sectors, including hospitality institutes, hotels and resorts, shopping malls, logistics, technology, and others.

H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of BIC, stated: "This year we celebrate two decades of successful hosting of one of the world's largest sporting events with the highest views among millions of motorsport enthusiasts.”

Additionally, he emphasised: "On this occasion, we renew our thanks and appreciation to our success partners, the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, for the events organised to support the F1 race, making the Kingdom the ideal destination for sports tourism enthusiasts, especially motorsports."

It is crucial to know that the Bahrain International Circuit and Beyon Money inaugurated the Beyon Money F1 Entertainment Village in Adliya, Block 338, over two consecutive weeks of events, in order to revive the roar of engines in one of Manama's most vibrant areas, known for its active tourism movement, in addition to attracting a number of social media influencers to cover several entertainment events accompanying the F1 race, supporting the tourism drive in the Kingdom.