Ms. Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, led the BTEA’s second quarter board meeting for 2024. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of the tourism sector in the second quarter, discussing achievements, and assessing the impact of various projects on Bahrain’s GDP. The goal of the meeting was to ensure the successful implementation of the objectives outlined in the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026, with a focus on diversifying the tourism product and expanding target markets to boost the sector’s contribution to the economy.
During the meeting, Ms. Sarah Ahmed Buhiji, the CEO of the Authority, presented key performance indicators of the tourism sector. The board also discussed the Authority’s marketing efforts to position Bahrain as a premier tourist destination in regional and global markets. Emphasis was placed on highlighting Bahrain’s cultural heritage, urban development, advanced tourism infrastructure, luxury hotels, and events that enhance its appeal to travelers. The discussions also touched on partnerships with travel agencies to develop tourism packages aimed at attracting a larger number of visitors to the Kingdom.
Furthermore, the board addressed developments within the Authority’s Licensing Department and reviewed the operational plan for Exhibition World Bahrain, including a recap of significant events hosted in the second quarter of 2024. One highlight was the success of the first edition of the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival, which attracted around 97,000 visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad. The partnership between the BTEA, Al Dana Amphitheatre, Spacetoon, and Exhibition World Bahrain, as well as the support from the National Bank of Bahrain, were commended for their role in the festival’s success.
In closing, the board expressed gratitude to the BTEA staff for their dedication to implementing various tourism and entertainment initiatives. They encouraged the team to intensify their efforts to accelerate tourism development in Bahrain, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the sector’s contribution to the national economy and creating quality job opportunities for citizens. The meeting highlighted the commitment of the Authority to working with partners to achieve the goals outlined in the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026, solidifying Bahrain’s position as a top choice for leisure and business tourism for families and individuals alike.
Moving forward, the board’s focus will be on continuing to diversify the tourism product and expand target markets to double the sector’s contribution to the GDP. The board will also work on showcasing Bahrain’s tourism potential and major projects to enhance the Kingdom’s reputation as a unique destination that blends cultural heritage with urban development. By collaborating with travel agencies in key markets and hosting events like the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival, the BTEA aims to attract more visitors and further boost the tourism sector’s impact on the national economy.
Overall, the second quarter board meeting of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority was a success, with discussions centered around enhancing Bahrain’s standing as a premier tourist destination. The meeting underscored the importance of partnerships, marketing efforts, and the development of tourism packages to attract visitors and elevate the sector’s contribution to the economy. By continuing to implement the objectives of the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026, the Authority is poised to further strengthen Bahrain’s position in the global tourism market and provide sustainable growth for the sector.
