Tourism industry in Bahrain expected to boost significantly

Officials in the Kingdom of Bahrain forecast US$1 billion tourism industry revenues by 2020.

With the Middle Eastern nation experienced an 8.4 per cent increase in inbound traffic during 2016 and approximatively 1.4 million international arrivals during last summer, tourism industry representatives speaking at the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority have predicted 15.8 million visitors each year by the end of 2018.

The figures account for a 36.2 per cent boost when compared with the current situation, as the country aims to establish a new target for the years to come: $1 billion in tourism revenues by 2020.

Simon Press, Arabian Travel Market’s director, commented:

“The Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority has engaged with a number of public authorities and private sector organisations over recent months and the returns are beginning to be realised. The BTEA now operates seven official representation offices worldwide, with a focus on source markets in Europe and Asia, and will continue to work hand-in- hand with hotels, tour operators and cruise lines to achieve its objectives.”

With the leisure sector taking over the business segment, Bahrain expects an even more impressive revenue by the year of 2026: 1.5 billion per annum. Moreover, the contribution to the country’s GDP will also exceed current figures, translating into a 13 per cent value in ten years from now.

The figures were released before the Arabian Travel Market 2017, welcomed by Dubai World Trade Centre between April 24th-27th.