BTEA, Japanese officials discuss ways to broaden Bahrain-japan tourism cooperation
Tokyo, May 10 (BNA): The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is keen to increase its presence in Japan, the third largest economy in the world with a volume of more than 4 trillion and one of the most innovative and productive countries in the world, in order to attract more Japanese tourists and increase Japanese investments in the hotel and hospitality sector in the Kingdom.
The move is based on BTEA's priorities of highlighting the status of Bahrain as a global tourism centre and attracting more new tourists to the Kingdom and diversify the tourism product.
BTEA participated in the visit of the high-level Bahraini economic delegation to Tokyo, led by Industry and Commerce Minister, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, and including Sustainable Development Minister, Noor bint Alil-Khulaif.
On the sidelines of the visit, BTEA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nasser Qaedi, held a series of meetings with senior Japanese officials in the sectors of tourism, hospitality, entertainment, industry and trade, and discussed with them ways to broaden joint cooperation in the field of tourism and injecting more Japanese tourism investments into the Bahraini market.
He asserted that the Bahraini-Japanese tourism cooperation is slated for more growth, thanks to the deep-rooted bilateral relations, which will consolidate the role of the tourism sector as a major tributary of the national economy.
Dr. Qaedi held meetings with the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Chairman, Japan Tourism Agency officials, and representatives of industrial companies and internationally renowned Japanese hospitality establishments, with whom he explored opportunities to increase the number of Japanese tourists to Bahrain.
He also met managers of famous Japanese hotels and restaurants, and discussed with the them the possibility of opening branches in Bahrain and investing in new projects in it.
BTEA chief also met Japanese jewellers and jewellry institutions. He invited them to visit the Kingdom and participate in several exhibitions and events such as the annual Jewellery Arabia, as well as be informed about world-renowned Bahraini gold and Jewellery.
During the meeting with Japanese officials and investors. Dr. Qaedi highlighted the objectives and features of Bahrain's 2022-2026 tourism strategy aimed at doubling the contribution of the tourism sector to the kingdom's gross domestic product and attracting more tourists from all over the world, especially East Asia.
President and Representative Director of COLOWIDE Co., Ltd, Kohei Nojiri, praised the meeting with BTEA CEO, expressing his desire to open a branch for Gyu-Kaku BBQ chain in Bahrain.
Representatives of jejwellery companies in Tokyo also affirmed that they were looking forward to participating effectively in this year's Jewellery Arabia.
Dr. Qaedi expressed delight over the desire of many prestigious Japanese hotel and hospitality establishments to expand in the Kingdom and open new branches for in Bahrain, which proves the Kingdom's position as a preferential tourist destination in the region and its strategic location in the heart of the Arabian Gulf.
He affirmed that Bahrain boasts many unique tourism elements that qualify it to attract more tourists from the Asian continent, especially from Japan, citing the kingdom's diversified tourism product covering leisure, family and sports elements, as well as exhibitions and conferences.
He praised Japan’s exceptional tourism potential by virtue of its ancient civilisation and its diverse tourist attractions that make it a leading Asian destination in this field.
Bahraini entrepreneurs participating in the Bahraini delegation affirmed the success of the official visit, noting that Japan is an ideal destination for tourism investments.
