Bahrain Is Boosting The Tourism Industry With New Visa Free Travel Policy For Gulf, including Saudi, Oman, Kuwait and Emirates

Bahrain, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, is witnessing a significant boost in its inbound tourism, thanks to its rich cultural heritage and modern attractions.

The Kingdom offers a blend of ancient and contemporary experiences, from the historic Bahrain Fort and the traditional Manama Souq to the ultramodern Bahrain International Circuit and sprawling shopping malls.

Bahrain, has been officially designated as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2024, along with an easy visa free policy for countries, signifies a major milestone in Bahrain’s journey to becoming a premier global tourist destination.

Tourists can explore the natural beauty of the Al Areen Wildlife Park and the serene Tree of Life, or indulge in water sports along its pristine beaches.

With its welcoming visa policies and year-round warm climate, Bahrain is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking a unique blend of history, culture, and leisure.

Bahrain, an island country in the Arabian Gulf, consists of 50 natural and 33 artificial islands.

It boasts a growing Travel & Tourism sector, anticipated to reach a revenue of US$159.00m by 2024 and a compound annual growth rate of 5.42% through 2028, culminating in a market volume of US$196.40m.

The primary segment in this market is the Package Holidays, projected to achieve US$58.07m by 2024.

As part of its economic recovery strategy initiated in 2021, Bahrain aims to boost tourist numbers to 14 million by 2026, increase the average daily expenditure to BHD74.8 ($198), and extend average stays to 3.5 days.

This initiative mirrors Saudi Arabia’s ambitious National Tourism Strategy under Vision 2030, which aims to draw 100 million visitors annually by 2030, enhance tourism’s GDP contribution to 10 percent, and generate a million new jobs.

Forecasted to attract approximately 14 million visitors by 2028, Bahrain expects a significant uptick in tourist arrivals from about 12.5 million in 2023.

Tourism revenues are predicted to climb from $3.1 billion in 2023 to $3.6 billion by 2028.

Bahrain’s ambitious plan targets 14.1 million annual visitors by 2026, aiming to boost the tourism sector’s GDP share to 11.4%. In 2022, the nation welcomed 9.9 million tourists.

In a significant milestone for its burgeoning Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, Bahrain has won the bid to host the 93rd Global Association of the Exhibition Industry UFI Global Congress.

This prestigious event is expected to attract global attention, bringing numerous business travelers and boosting tourism.

It underscores Bahrain’s growing reputation as a premier destination for international events, contributing to its vibrant tourism landscape and economic development.

The Bahrain Convention & Exhibition Centre in Manama is a premier Middle Eastern venue for conferences, exhibitions, and events, covering 145,000 square meters.

It features 10 exhibition halls with 95,000 square meters of space, 50 meeting rooms, and a large conference room for 4,000 delegates.

Amenities include high-tech audiovisual equipment, on-site catering, business centers, and VIP lounges.

Strategically located 10 km from Bahrain International Airport and near luxury hotels, it offers parking for 5,000 vehicles.

Hosting events like the Bahrain International Airshow and Jewellery Arabia Exhibition, the center is a key hub for regional business and cultural exchanges.

Bahrain International Airport serves as the primary portal to the Kingdom of Bahrain, facilitating both passenger and cargo traffic.
As Gulf Air’s main hub, the airport sees a diverse array of over 30 airlines.

The airport, identified by the IATA code BAH, is prominently featured offers details on various airlines operating from this hub.

Key players at this airport include United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Airlines. 

The busiest routes from Bahrain include flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with 1155 and 902 weekly flights respectively.

Bahrain International Airport welcomed an impressive 8.7 million passengers in 2023 and is anticipating a groundbreaking 8.2 million passengers for 2024.

The first quarter of 2024, a peak travel season for Bahrain, saw 2,310,786 passengers, an 11% increase from the same period last year.

The inclusion of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays is expected to further boost numbers for the first half of the year.

Bahrain International Airport serves as the main hub for Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national flag carrier, which conducts over 2,270 monthly flights to 60 destinations across 28 countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The airport also supports the operations of 27 other airlines.

Gulf Air has broadened its network by adding Guangzhou and Shanghai as new destinations, with flights commencing in May 2024. Moreover, the airline has introduced a new route from Bahrain to Munich, starting July 1, with four weekly flights.

Source : https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/bahrain-is-boosting-the-tourism-industry-with-new-visa-free-travel-policy-for-gulf-including-saudi-oman-kuwait-and-emirates/