A proposal envisages that Bahrain could become the next regional home for globally acclaimed television productions, including a potential Arabian edition of Gordon Ramsay’s hit cooking reality show Hell’s Kitchen.
Spearheaded by Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif and backed by Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee, the initiative comes as Bahrain seeks to position itself as a destination for major regional and international productions.
A move to bring in the famous show to Bahrain
Mr Abdullatif believes attracting high-profile entertainment franchises could deliver far more than a television programme, bringing visitors, investment, international exposure and new opportunities for Bahrain’s hospitality and creative industries.
“Bahrain has the facilities, hospitality sector, talented people and strategic location to host productions that attract audiences across the region and beyond,” he said.
“Why should Bahrain only watch these successful shows when we can provide the setting for them? A production such as Hell’s Kitchen could create a major buzz around the kingdom and showcase what Bahrain has to offer.”
The Hell’s Kitchen format, famously associated with British-born celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, has become a global television franchise, with adaptations produced in a number of countries.
An Arabian version filmed in Bahrain could combine the internationally recognised format with regional culinary talent, local ingredients and Bahrain’s distinctive food culture.
The proposal also points to the success of themed entertainment experiences in the region, including a customised Hell’s Kitchen restaurant in Dubai, demonstrating the commercial potential of globally recognised entertainment brands.
Mr Abdullatif said Bahrain could offer international producers a compact and highly accessible filming environment, while giving them access to a growing hospitality and tourism sector.
“Bahrain should be thinking bigger,” he said. “We have the opportunity to turn our island into a stage for major regional and international productions.”
Mr Abdullatif
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman and Bahrain Chamber treasurer Ahmed Al Salloom, who is also the chairman of the Bahrain Small and Medium Enterprises Development Society and Better Life Society, said Bahrain should be ambitious in pursuing major entertainment and media productions as part of efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen the kingdom’s position as a regional tourism and investment hub.
“This is about much more than a television show,” he said.
“International productions bring people, spending, publicity and business opportunities. They can fill hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues while creating opportunities for Bahrainis working in hospitality, media, production, marketing and other sectors.”
He added that Bahrain should actively market itself to production companies seeking locations in the Gulf, rather than waiting for projects to come to the kingdom.
Mr Al Salloom said the idea could also complement Bahrain’s efforts to attract international visitors and promote the kingdom as a destination for experiences rather than simply short-term visits.
“Every major production tells its own story about the country where it is filmed,” he said. “We want that story to be Bahrain.”
He explained that the proposal could see discussions with international production companies, broadcasters and rights holders to explore the feasibility of bringing major franchises to the kingdom.
“Hell’s Kitchen may only be the beginning, with the wider ambition being to make Bahrain a home for some of the world’s biggest entertainment productions.”
The proposal will be discussed with the Information Ministry, the Sustainable Development Ministry and the Economic Development Board (EDB) among other relevant stakeholders before being put up for debate on the open floor.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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