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BAHRAIN’S Tourism Ministry has unveiled a strategy focused on responsible growth – prioritising investment, diversifying attractions, and safeguarding community well-being to ensure development enhances rather than disrupts local life.
Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi highlighted the extensive calendar of festivals and public events that have attracted massive crowds since January 2023, contributing directly to hotel occupancy, retail activity and seasonal tourism flows.
She stressed that inspection and enforcement mechanisms were also being strengthened in residential areas, including Juffair and Adliya, and all tourism violations were being dealt with firmly.
Responding to a question by MP Bassema Mubarak, the minister confirmed that Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority organised a wide range of flagship events between 2023 and 2025, including Bahrain Food Festival, Manama Nights (Ramadan), Festival City, Manama Gold Festival, Bahrain Summer Toy Festival, Manama Retro, Hawa Al Manama, Royal Bahrain Concours, Eid celebrations, and National Day festivities, culminating annually with New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Ms Al Sairafi said these events were designed to attract both local visitors and tourists from the Gulf and beyond, contributing directly to the country’s economy.
“Each event is assessed against clear, measurable objectives, including visitor numbers, economic impact and its added value to Bahrain’s tourism offering,” she said. “Public funds are allocated based on feasibility studies and anticipated returns, not on a one-size-fits-all basis.”
She added that, beyond directly organised festivals, the authority also supports major regional and international events such as Jewellery Arabia, Autumn Fair, World Travel Awards, Fiba 3×3 World Tour, Bahrain International Golf Championship and the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club season, through financial, logistical and promotional assistance.
Addressing concerns about transparency, Ms Al Sairafi stressed that all companies contracted to organise festivals and exhibitions are selected in line with Decree-Law No 36 of 2002 governing government tenders.
“Selection is based on technical quality, creativity, organisational capacity, financial solvency and proven experience,” she said. “We also assess return on investment, media reach and the event’s contribution to the wider tourism strategy.”
In a separate reply to Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman MP Hassan Bukhammas, the minister addressed growing concerns over tourism establishments operating near residential areas and places of worship in the Capital Governorate’s constituency four (Adliya, Juffair, Ghuraifa, Umm Al Hassam and Abu Ghazzal), which the MP represents.
She confirmed that tourism licences are not granted in areas zoned as residential, and that approvals for furnished apartments, clubs and restaurants are issued only after co-ordination with all relevant government bodies.
She also revealed that 779 inspection visits were conducted in the district, resulting in 103 recorded violations, covering offences ranging from licensing breaches and unauthorised management changes to financial non-compliance and operating outside permitted hours.
“Our priority is to maintain public order and residents’ comfort while supporting a sustainable tourism sector,” she said.
“Violations are dealt with firmly, through warnings, fines, suspension or closure, and referral to the Public Prosecution, when necessary.”
The minister added that BTEA has expanded complaint-reporting channels and intensified inspection campaigns, while also reviewing zoning and planning frameworks to reduce pressure on residential neighbourhoods.
Looking ahead, Ms Al Sairafi said the Authority is preparing a comprehensive study of tourism activities and their spatial impact, alongside plans to expand designated tourism zones.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma will also appear in Parliament on Tuesday to reply verbally to a question about the cost of each student at government schools. It was presented by Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman MP Mohammed Al Bulooshi.
Dr Juma, who is politically responsible for the General Sports Authority (GSA), will sit during a debate on Decree-Law 40 of 2025, which amends key provisions of the 2021 Sports Professionalism Law aimed at strengthening the autonomy of national sports federations and aligning domestic regulations with international Olympic standards.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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