Manama Named 2024 GCC Tourism Capital
The 7th meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries commenced today in the city of Jabal Al-Akhdar in the Sultanate of Oman.
Organized and hosted by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman and supervised by the GCC General Secretariat, the event brought together representatives from across the GCC. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce and Acting Minister of Tourism, led the Kingdom of Bahrain's delegation, emphasizing the meeting's significance and the collaborative opportunities it presents. The gathering aims to share experiences and innovative solutions to advance the crucial tourism sector while benefiting from the experiences of member countries. The ultimate goal is to enhance tourism's contribution to the GDP, strengthen cooperative bonds, and facilitate joint coordination among member states.
Fakhro emphasized that designating Manama as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2024 underscores the Kingdom of Bahrain's pivotal role in supporting comprehensive tourism efforts regionally. This designation encourages inter-tourism among GCC countries and promotes coordination with various regional and international tourism entities, as well as the travel, culture, and entertainment sectors. The aim is to develop the industry at the Gulf level and support the transition to sustainable tourism based on international best practices.
Minister Fakhro stressed the meeting's importance in highlighting the remarkable achievements and initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to elevate the tourism landscape, not only within the Gulf region but on a global scale. Substantial investments have been made to enhance tourism infrastructure, advance environmental standards, and promote sustainability in hotels and tourist facilities. These efforts have significantly increased international visitor arrivals, positioning Bahrain as one of the most attractive tourist destinations.
The meeting covered several crucial agenda items, with a primary focus on accelerating the global tourism sector's recovery. This involves enhancing the flexibility of Gulf tourism and its ability to face future challenges while ensuring the sector's sustainability. The Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to implementing the decisions provided by the Committee of the GCC Tourism Ministers.
Minister Fakhro underscored the importance of creating a conducive environment for nurturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector. He also advocated for the activation of sustainable tourism strategies on both regional and global scales to support the transformation of Gulf tourism destinations into more sustainable entities.
