Manama:The Kingdom of Bahrain is actively enhancing its tourism sector to boost its competitiveness and sustainability. Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi emphasized the ongoing efforts to strengthen Bahrain's position as a prominent regional and international tourist destination. These initiatives support the Kingdom's broader development goals under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and guided by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
According to Bahrain News Agency, World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, underscores the expanding role of tourism in fostering economic and social progress while promoting cultural exchange. It also offers a platform to explore new opportunities arising from rapid global changes in tourism, pushing for more innovative and sustainable development of destinations, services, and experiences.
Minister Al Sairafi highlighted that the theme for this year's World Tourism Day, "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism," aligns with technological advancements impacting the industry. Bahrain is advancing digital transformation in tourism, leveraging advanced technologies as outlined in the Tourism Sector Strategy 2022-2026.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), in collaboration with the private sector, are utilizing modern technologies and AI to enhance tourism experiences and cater to visitors' needs. This involves making services more accessible and developing interactive digital platforms to display Bahrain's attractions, thus improving service quality and competitiveness.
Al Sairafi stressed the importance of integrating technological progress with sustainability efforts in tourism. This includes encouraging tourism businesses to adopt innovative resource management solutions, reduce environmental impacts, enhance infrastructure, attract investments, and host international events and exhibitions. These measures aim to diversify Bahrain's tourism offerings and increase its appeal.
Bahrain's rich cultural and historical heritage, along with its historic sites, beaches, and entertainment facilities, provide a robust foundation for further tourism sector development. This will enrich visitor experiences while preserving national identity and cultural heritage.
The minister noted that advancing tourism and increasing its economic contribution rely on coordinated efforts and effective partnerships between government entities, the private sector, and the community. She praised the tourism sector workforce for their contributions to improving services and visitor experiences, which are crucial for a more competitive, diverse, and sustainable tourism sector.