DRMumbai: Bahrain’s leisure tourism sector is in the pink with investments in infrastructure touching an impressive $13 billion mark. The figure, covering 14 prominent projects, will be an impetus to the Kingdom’s overall growth trajectory. The tourism sector witnessed rapid growth in the past year, with the total number of tourists visiting the Kingdom increasing by 12.8 per cent in the first nine months of 2017.
“Bahrain is an island destination catering to all segments, be it family, MICE, luxury or weddings” – Sunil Mathapati, Country Manager India, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority
Sunil Mathapati, Country Manager India, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, said: “Bahrain is an island destination catering to all segments, be it family, MICE, luxury or wedding. For adventure seekers, the Bahrain International Circuit provides an unforgettable experience. From India, currently, we have wedding and MICE segments followed by families. This year, however, we would be initiating campaigns to promote our destinations even more vigorously. India is the second major source market for Bahrain, after Saudi Arabia. Other key source markets are UK, France, Germany and Russia.”
The total number of tourists visiting Bahrain touched 8.7 million, a significant number considering the resident population is only 1.5 million. The tourism sector contributes 6.3 per cent to the country’s GDP and is set to grow significantly as the number of visitors and leisure activities have increased manifold.
“At present, we are focussing our marketing efforts in India on major cities like Mumbai and New Delhi, and have been getting a good response. In 2018, we are going to focus on Chennai and Hyderabad as well.”
Bahrain International Airport is undergoing a $1.1 billion modernisation programme, set to increase passenger capacity from nine to 14 million per year by 2020. This will go hand-in-hand with the new five and four-star hotels and resorts in the pipeline that will cater to current and future demand.
Furthermore, Bahrain’s tourism strategy also extends to medical tourism projects through King Abdullah Medical City, and mixed-use real estate projects such as Bahrain Bay, Bahrain Marina, Diyar Al Muharraq, Water Garden City, Dilmunia and Marassi Al Bahrain, where Emaar Hospitality brands such as The Address Hotel and Vida are under construction. Another major event set to boost tourism is the spectacular ice skating musical, Disney on Ice: Passport to Adventure, featuring some of Disney’s most famous characters. It will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre from June 15 to 19. The internationally showcased performance will feature a line-up of long-time Disney favourites, including the casts of the ‘Little Mermaid’, ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Peter Pan’ as well as the popular animated feature film ‘Frozen’.
Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, has announced plans to double its number of aircraft by 2022. The airline is expected to buy 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft in 2018. The aircraft will include Boeing 787-9, Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo. Gulf Air’s new corporate strategy is geared towards promoting Bahrain’s tourism economy and bolstering the Kingdom’s aviation industry. Bahrain’s economy continued to grow beyond expectations in 2017 following a series of infrastructure projects valued at more than $32 billion. The growth rate of the economy during the last nine months of 2017 was 3.6 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for the same period in 2016.
$13 bn Infra Projects include:
- Five new 5 & 4-star hotels under construction – The Address Hotel & Resort (112 keys) at Marassi Al Bahrain; Vida Hotels & Resorts (157 keys) at Marassi Al Bahrain; One & Only Resort & Spa (175 keys) at Seef District; Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences (210 keys) at The Avenues, Jumeirah Royal Saray (174 keys) at Seef District (Opened on February 28)
- King Abdulla Medical City to boost medical tourism
- Six mixed-use real estate projects – Bahrain Bay, Bahrain Marina, Diyar Al Muharraq, Water Garden City, Dilmunia and Marassi Al Bahrain
- Three major retail destinations – Dilmunia Mall, Marassi Galleria, Avenues Mall
- $1.1 bn airport modernisation
- Other infrastructure investment projects include the development of shopping malls such as Dilmunia Mall and the Marassi Galleria shopping complex
