Acting undersecretary of tourism Shaikh Khalid bin Hamood Al Khalifa recently revealed a dedicated policy had been developed to attract more tourists as well as additional investment into Bahrain?s tourism industry. Riding on this growth, the annual Arabian Travel Market road show, kicked off today in Bahrain.
The event brings together key industry players, to discuss marketing opportunities to showcase the Kingdom?s growing tourism potential. As per country reports and forecast, capital investment in Bahrain?s travel and tourism sector reached approximately BHD196.3 million in 2012, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
This figure increased by around 13.2% in 2013 and is expected to rise 4.9% per annum over the next 10 years to BHD358.2 m in 2023. Travel and tourism?s share of Bahrain?s total national investment will increase from 7.8% in 2013 to 8.7% in 2023, the WTTC claims.
Bahrain is keen to develop more hotels to increase its available room stock to over 12,000 rooms by 2015, after Shaikh Khalid revealed hotel room bookings surpassed the 10,000 mark in 2013, up from 9,000 rooms in 2012, witnessing an 11% rise.
Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions said: ?Bahrain has great potential ? it?s an ideal short break destination for GCC residents, especially those from Saudi Arabia. It has a major cruise terminal and of course hosts the Formula One Grand Prix.?
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