Home » Bahrain Travel News » Bahrain’s tourism industry booms with new visa-free regime for 87 countries including Thailand, UK, UAE
Saturday, July 27, 2024
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Bahrain’s tourism industry is set to experience significant growth with the introduction of visa-free travel to 87 countries, including Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Macau. This strategic move is expected to attract a wide variety of international tourists and increase Bahrain’s appeal as a top-tier travel destination. Bahrain, officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain, is a West Asian island nation located in the Persian Gulf. It consists of a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with the island of Bahrain making up approximately 83% of the country’s land area. In 2023, 4.9 million tourists from Bahrain made international trips, with total international tourism expenditure reaching USD 3.6 billion. Bahrainis frequently travel to several popular international destinations, the most common of which are:
Saudi ArabiaUnited Arab Emirates (UAE)QatarTurkeyUnited KingdomIndiaGermany
Anup Kumar Keshan, Editor-in-Chief, TTW, said: “Bahrain’s tourism industry is booming with the introduction of visa-free travel to 87 countries, including popular destinations such as Sri Lanka, Maldives and Macau. This strategic move will attract more tourists and position Bahrain as a premier travel hub. The country’s rich cultural heritage, contemporary attractions and luxury accommodation offer a unique combination that attracts a diverse international tourist base. A 180% increase in visitor numbers and 25% increase in GDP in 2022 highlights Bahrain’s potential as a leading tourism destination in the region.”
Bahrain’s tourism booms: Strong recovery and government initiatives see 180% increase in tourists and 25% rise in GDP in 2022
Tourism has grown significantly in Bahrain, resulting in a notable increase in visitor numbers and economic impact. In recent years, the country has focused on strengthening its tourism infrastructure and promoting its rich cultural heritage, which has resulted in impressive growth. Bahrain’s tourism industry has experienced impressive growth, with tourist numbers increasing by 180% in 2022 compared to 2021, reflecting a strong recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. The tourism sector’s contribution to Bahrain’s GDP is set to increase by 25% in 2022, indicating the industry’s increasing importance to the national economy. Cruise passenger numbers surged by 45% in the 2022-2023 season as more international cruise ships included Bahrain in their itineraries. Hotel occupancy rates increased by 20% in 2022 due to growing demand from both leisure and business travelers. Government-led initiatives, including the development of new tourist attractions and enhanced marketing efforts, have played a key role in driving this growth.
Bahrain’s GDP:
Bahrain’s travel and tourism market is expected to grow, with revenues expected to reach US$147.7 million by 2024, with an annual growth rate of 3.25% from 2024 to 2029, reaching US$173.3 million in 2029. The package holidays market, the largest segment, is forecast to reach US$54.32 million by 2024. By 2029, the number of package holiday users is expected to reach 343,500, with user penetration growing from 29.6% in 2024 to 32.0% in 2029. Average revenue per user (ARPU) is forecast to be US$333.30. Online sales are expected to account for 75% of total revenues by 2029. In comparison, the United States is expected to lead the global market with revenues of US$214 billion by 2024. Bahrain’s tourism growth is driven by government efforts to develop cultural and historical heritage.
An extensive list of visa-free destinations:
Visa Exemption List:
BahamasBarbadosBelarusBermudaBotswanaCayman IslandsCook IslandsDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorGeorgiaGuatemalaHaitiHondurasHong Kong (People’s Republic of China)IranJordanKazakhstanKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLebanonMadagascarMalaysiaMauritiusMicronesiaMoroccoNicaraguaAniweOmanPhilippinesQatarSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSingaporeSaint Kitts and NevisSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSurinameSyriaTajikistanThailandTunisiaTurkeyUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUzbekistanVanuatuZambia
VOA
Azerbaijan Bangladesh Bolivia Brunei Burundi Cambodia Cape Verde Islands Comoros Djibouti Ethiopia Guinea-Bissau Indonesia Laos Macau (S.A.R. of China) Malawi Maldives Mauritania Mozambique Nepal Palau Islands Rwanda Samoa Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia Tanzania Timor-Leste Tuvalu Yemen Zimbabwe
Estimated time of arrival
Kenya New Zealand Pakistan South Korea Sri Lanka UK
Airports in Bahrain:
Bahrain International Airport (BAH): Bahrain’s main airport, located in Muharraq near Manama. In 2022, it handled approximately 4.5 million outbound passengers. For the most accurate and detailed figures, consult the airport’s official reports or the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority.
“Bahrain’s aviation industry booms after decade of growth: strategic investments and Gulf Air expansion drive success”
Bahrain’s aviation industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by strategic investments, fleet expansion and increasing passenger demand. National airline Gulf Air has been at the forefront, modernizing its fleet with new aircraft and expanding its route network to include key international destinations. The government’s focus on developing Bahrain as a regional aviation hub has also played a key role, with infrastructure enhancements such as a new passenger terminal at Bahrain International Airport increasing capacity and quality of service. This growth reflects Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening its position in the global aviation market.
Bahrain Airlines:
Bahrain International Airport (BAH): Bahrain’s national airline. It operates a wide range of international flights to destinations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Outbound passenger numbers (2022): Approximately 6.2 million. Bahrain Airlines: A low-cost airline that operated from 2008 to 2013, serving regional and South Asian destinations. Texel Airlines: A Bahrain-based charter airline that specializes in cargo services, offering customized cargo solutions. DHL Aviation: Operates a major logistics hub in Bahrain and offers a wide range of cargo and freight services worldwide.
Ports in Bahrain:
Khalifa Bin Salman Port is Bahrain’s main commercial port and is located in the Hidd district of Muharraq. It is a state-of-the-art facility capable of handling a wide range of cargo, including containers, general cargo, and bulk cargo. It is primarily a cargo port, but also handles cruise ship passengers from time to time. In 2022, approximately 100,000 cruise ship passengers departed from the port. Muharraq Fishing Port, located in Muharraq, is primarily used by local fishermen. It has essential facilities for mooring and maintenance of fishing boats.
Bahrain’s tourism sector is booming, attracting an increasing number of international visitors with its unique blend of cultural heritage and modern attractions. The country’s historical attractions, vibrant markets, luxurious resorts and warm hospitality combine to make Bahrain an attractive travel destination. A recent surge in tourists and a growing cruise tourism market highlight Bahrain’s emergence as a top travel destination.
Tags: Bahrain, Bahrain International Airport (BAH), international travel, Sri Lanka, Thailand, tourism, travel industry, travel news, UAE, UK, visa-free, visa-free travel
