RIYADH- Bahrain's government wants the tourism industry to contribute 11.4% of gross domestic product by the end of 2026, the Gulf state's tourism minister said in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Tourism in the small Gulf state accounted for 6.8% of GDP in 2019, the government's media office said this week.

Bahrain would target growth in the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions tourism segment, Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani said at an investment conference.

(Writing by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Alison Williams) ((Alexander.Cornwell@thomsonreuters.com;))