Tourism Minister: joint work to promote regional tourism

Riyadh, Nov 30. (BNA): Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi said that the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf have become an attractive destination for international tourism thanks to the efforts made by the regional countries to diversify sources of income and not to rely on oil as a main source. Al Sairfai noted this during her participation in a session at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit hosted in Riyadh on November 28 - Dec. 1 under the theme "Travel for a better future". She noted that several factors had an impact on attracting tourists, most notably the international conditions that made the region more appealing to tourists, as well as the provision of various programs and events, and their international promotion. The minister added that Bahrain had succeeded in overcoming the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic through an economic recovery plan that placed the tourism sector among its most important pillars and strengthened the international reputation of Bahrain among the top eight places to live in. She said that the tourism strategic plan benefited from the reputation of Bahrain in the international promotion of tourism in the country, as 87 contracts were signed with travel agents and tourism offices around the world. Promotional campaigns were also launched in 17 countries, including nine tourism markets that are new to Bahrain, she added.