Manama Capital of Arab Tourism a second time in the last seven years

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Manama has been named the ‘Capital of Arab Tourism 2020’, a recognition bestowed on the country a second time in the last seven years.

The declaration was made yesterday at a meeting of the 22nd Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism held at Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahsa, which held the position for this year.

The decision comes in recognition of Bahrain’s vital position in the regional tourist map, which reflects the interest of tourists to the kingdom and in line with the country fulfilling all the terms of reference prepared by the Arab Tourism Organisation (ATO).

Efforts

Manama was previously given the title in 2013.

A delegation headed by Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani and consisting of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) chief executive Nader Almoayyed and BTEA marketing and tourism promotion directorate acting director Dr Ali Follad attended the meeting.

“The Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry will spare no efforts to develop the tourism sector and to enhance bilateral and pan-Arab relations in the (tourism) sector,” said Mr Alzayani to state-run Bahrain News Agency.

“BTEA’s strategy aims to develop Bahraini products by hosting events and developing the tourism sector, targeting social categories as well, including Arab and Gulf families.

“The choice of Manama as the Capital of Arab Tourism 2020 recognises Bahrain’s efforts in consolidating development in tourism, revamping historical cities and towns and highlighting all civilisations in the region.”

In a sideline meeting, Bahrain was also re-elected a member of the Arab Tourism Ministerial Council’s executive bureau for 2020-2021.

Bahrain will also adorn the vice chair position of the bureau, which will be headed by Saudi Arabia at the 23rd session of the council next year.

The bureau discussed opportunities and challenges of the tourism sector in the Arab region, aiming to identify areas of co-operation between countries in the region and share experiences in the field of tourism.

It also discussed the report and decisions of the meeting previously held, including the action plan submitted by the BTEA to activate the tourism information and statistics hub in support of the Arab tourism strategy, in addition to updating the draft and document of the Arab Strategy for Tourism of Egypt.

“Our participation in the meeting comes as part of our efforts to activate the tourism information and statistics hub in order to support the Arab tourism strategy,” said Mr Almoayyed.

Strategy

“BTEA has developed an integrated strategy aimed at elevating Bahrain’s tourism industry by attracting investors and creating a suitable environment where tourism projects can thrive.

“The sound implementation of BTEA’s strategy has resulted in a significant improvement in the tourism sector performance over the course of the last three years, recording an unprecedented figure – 12 million visitors in 2018, an increase of 5.9 per cent compared to the previous year – reaffirming the continued growth of the tourism industry in the kingdom.”

Manama was previously named the Capital of Arab Women for 2017 at the 36th session of the Arab League’s Arab Women’s Committee, while Muharraq was chosen as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2018 by the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation because of its significant contribution to the preservation of Arab and Islamic culture.

raji@gdn.com.bh

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