Bahrain’s Southern Governorate could be transformed into a hub for futuristic tourism and recreation under ambitious ideas being drawn up as part of Vision 2050, including Bollywood film studios, outdoor skydiving and hot-air balloon rides.
The Southern Municipal Council has already begun compiling a tentative list of proposals that it plans to present to the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry and the Economic Development Board (EDB) during an upcoming meeting, aiming to capitalise on the governorate’s vast land, strategic location and growing global profile.
Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif said the south was uniquely positioned to anchor many of Bahrain’s long-term development plans. “We have numerous ideas that we can discuss with officials, but with Bahrain getting international attention due to the new Avengers movie being shot here, and the trending song Fa9la by Bahraini artist Flipperachi featured in the box-office attraction Dhurandhar, we can have a strong case to attract a base for Bollywood studios,” he said.
According to Mr Abdullatif, purpose-built Bollywood studios could operate year-round and also be adapted to attract Hollywood and regional productions.
“Bollywood studios would have us occupied throughout the year and could also be used for Hollywood movies,” he explained. “Bahrain is in the middle of the Gulf, so Vision 2050 should focus on us being the heart.”
The Southern Governorate already hosts several landmark national and international attractions, including the Bahrain International Circuit, Exhibition World Bahrain, Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve, Gravity Indoor Skydiving, Rashid Equestrian and Horseriding Club, the Bahrain International Edurance Village, as well as a wide range of luxury hotels and leisure facilities.
It is also home to Bahrain’s two government universities – the University of Bahrain and Bahrain Polytechnic – alongside a growing number of private schools and higher education institutions, giving it a strong academic and innovation base.
On the industrial front, the governorate houses major strategic assets such as Bapco Refining, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), making it a key pillar of the national economy.
Adding to this mix, a new multi-billion-dinar sports city is already in the pipeline, further strengthening the south’s credentials as a destination for large-scale projects.
Mr Abdullatif revealed that discussions were already under way with private operators to introduce new adventure tourism experiences.
“I have been in talks with Gravity to expand into outdoor skydiving and possibly introduce a hot-air balloon service,” he said. “These are experiences that would attract both residents and tourists, and would add a new dimension to what the Southern Governorate can offer.”
He also stressed the need to further develop Al Areen Wildlife Park by introducing additional attractions that appeal to families and international visitors alike. “We’re also seeking improvements to Al Areen so that it includes more attractions and becomes a full-day destination,” he added.
The council believes that integrating entertainment, culture, education, industry and eco-tourism into a single long-term vision would create sustainable growth, generate jobs and further strengthen Bahrain’s position on the global tourism and investment map.
“These ideas are not random,” Mr Abdullatif said. “They are built on what we already have in the Southern Governorate and what we can realistically expand into under Vision 2050.
“The proposals are expected to form the basis of discussions with the concerned ministry and the Economic Development Board, alongside other stakeholders, as Bahrain shapes its next phase of economic and social development.”
Several Hollywood and Bollywood films have been shot in Bahrain such as Avengers: Doomsday, whose cast assembled in Bahrain for the filming. An Indian Netflix series, which shot some of its sequences in Bahrain, released its first teaser last Tuesday. Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi plays a customs officer in ‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web’, cracking down on airport smuggling along with his team.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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