A comprehensive cultural tourism strategy may be launched for A’ali, the kingdom’s traditional pottery-making capital and one of the recognised ancient burial site locations, following a proposal approved by Bahrain’s largest municipal council.
The strategy includes developing rest stops, restaurants, recreational spaces, cafes and souvenir shops in addition to a small motel and clear boundaries at archaeological sites in A’ali.
The proposal, which was tabled by Northern Municipal Council’s information and public relations committee chairman Hussain Al A’ali, aims to further elevating Bahrain’s tourism sector in addition to contributing to the national economy.
As well as being the home of renowned traditional pottery makers, A’ali is also home to the Royal Burial Mounds and Dilmun Burial Mounds – the third site in Bahrain to be inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage List following the Pearl Route and Bahrain Fort.
According to Mr Al A’ali, who is also the area councillor, the proposal aims to expedite the cultural and heritage tourism plans for A’ali and further promote it, while also providing employment opportunities for local young people.
“Tourism is an important source of income for many countries and Bahrain’s unique archaeological and heritage sites – especially in A’ali – will play a critical role in elevating the sector,” he said during the council’s last bi-weekly meeting.
“In addition to the burial mounds, A’ali also still maintains a centuries-old profession of pottery making, which is still active to this day, in preserved factories passed down through the generations.
“Revamping the sites and factories in A’ali while also developing tourism facilities will ensure the preservation of the heritage, in addition to attracting visitors from across the world interested in cultural and archaeological tourism.
“The proposal aims to preserve our heritage, in addition to educating people about Bahrain’s history, while also encouraging investment in the sector.”
The Dilmun Burial Mounds is a serial property formed by 21 archaeological sites – six of which are burial mound fields comprising around 11,774 burial mounds – with the remaining 15 sites consisting of 13 single royal mounds and two pairs of royal mounds.
According to official documents provided by the council, the Dilmun Burial Mounds are located on a 126,907sqm land belonging to the government and are classified as ‘Special Projects’.
Meanwhile, the pottery factories and mounds are located on a 26,658sqm plot of land belonging to the government which is classified under ‘Archaeological’.
Plans are also underway by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) to develop an A’ali Mounds Museum as part of their ‘Pillars of Culture Future Strategies’ initiative.
“The museum is a future project to be designed by international architect Anne Holtrop,” said Baca on its official website. “Situated at the starting point of the region’s oldest and largest burial mounds, the site is shortlisted as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
“The museum will contain a number of galleries featuring information on the kingdom’s ancient burial sites and visitors will also be able to view the ancient graves that date back to 2,000BC.”
Baca also reaffirmed that the site will serve to support the further development of the pottery industry.
Councillors unanimously approved the proposal which will now be referred to Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Minister Wael Mubarak for review.
The GDN reported that there has been staggering 984 per cent increase in the number of tourists arriving in Bahrain in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year.
According to the Information and eGovernment Authority, the kingdom received nearly 1.7 million visitors in Q1 2022, against 152,000 in Q1 2021.
The quantum jump follows the easing of Covid-19 related travel restrictions as global passenger movement picks up in an effort to reach the 2019 levels.
Tourism revenues also rose to BD292m ($774m) during the first three months of this year compared with BD30m during the same period last year – an increase of 875 per cent.
reem@gdnmedia.bh
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