Bahrain’s biggest tourism infrastructure projects have sustainability at their core, a top expert has said.
Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) deputy chief executive Dana Al Saad added that government agencies were always looking at new policies and projects to ensure environmentally-friendly services for travellers to the kingdom.
She was speaking at the first International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Middle East Summit 2025, held at the Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), Sakhir.
The session was titled ‘The Future of Destination Leadership: Unlocking Regional Potential through Innovation, Inclusivity and Sustainability.’ Ms Al Saad was part of a panel of experts that included Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau director Mubarak Al Shamsi, ICCA Middle East chapter chair Khalid Al Zadjali, Dubai Business Events vice-president Karina Lance and Jordan Tourism Board convention head Luma Al Khatib.
“In Bahrain, the best skill we have is collaborative vision building,” Ms Al Saad said.
“We are small, but our tourism infrastructure has a lot of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“It is very important to ensure we are all on the same page, and government agencies are always looking at new policies to ensure sustainability.
“We want to make sure that all progress is done sustainably, and we need to be adaptable while being mindful of our authenticity as a destination.”
Ms Al Saad highlighted some of the kingdom’s initiatives to make tourism more eco-friendly, asserting that in Bahrain, infrastructure is planned with an eye on sustainability.
She stated that change is happening rapidly and it is important to constantly be up-to-date with the latest technology.
“The Bahrain International Airport was constructed with the highest environmental standards and management systems to ensure that energy-intensive processes are optimised and efficient,” she said.
“EWB also has sustainability at its core, utilising smart building systems and lighting, for example. The venue remains dedicated to fostering sustainable practices while hosting business and cultural events.
“Additionally, our national carrier Gulf Air gives you the option to offset your carbon footprint.
“In fact, Sakhir, in general, is a hub for different aspects of sustainable tourism – including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events, motorsports and entertainment options, including concerts and shows.
“There is also a 72-megawatt solar panel project underway, along with an electric vehicle charging station, and there is more to come in the future.”
Ms Al Saad also reaffirmed BTEA’s desire to ensure that Bahrain remains an authentic, culturally-rich destination, and that while the kingdom needs to be adaptable, it should not come at the cost of its heritage.
In 2021, Bahrain highlighted its strategic commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Additionally, several near-term targets were also announced for 2035.
This includes a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, doubling the renewable energy target under the National Renewable Energy Action Plan from 10pc to 20pc, doubling the number of trees from 1.8 million to approximately 3.6m and quadrupling the mangrove tree population from 400,000 to 1.6m.
Several projects and initiatives relating to climate mitigation and adaptation are underway, including the National Energy Strategy, afforestation campaigns such as Forever Green, and the Coastal Resilience Strategy.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))