Manama, June 28 (BNA) The number of tourist arrivals to Bahrain increased by 984% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.
According to statistics issued by the Information and Electronic Government Authority, the Kingdom received nearly 1.7 million visitors in the first three months of the year, compared to 152,000 visitors in 2021.
The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority confirmed the rise in tourism revenues to 292 million Bahraini dinars (774 million US dollars) during the first quarter of this year, compared to 30 million Bahraini dinars (80 million US dollars) during the same period last year, an increase. of 875%.
According to published statistics, there has been a noticeable increase in the flow of tourists, as more than 1.483 million tourists entered Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway in the first quarter of this year, compared to about 84 thousand tourists in the same period last year 2021. An increase of 1666%. The number of tourist arrivals through Bahrain International Airport also increased by 147%, reaching 166 thousand tourists in 2022 compared to 67,000 tourists in the same period last year.
During the same period, the number of licensed tourist facilities such as hotels, apartments, restaurants and tourism companies increased from 721 to 922, and the number of tourist nights increased from 341 thousand to more than 2.9 million.
Dr. Nasser Qaidi, CEO of the authority, explained that the positive indicators reflect the success of the tourism sector in the Kingdom in implementing the priority initiatives within the economic recovery plan and the effectiveness of the initiatives and programs implemented by the Bahrain Tourism Authority.
Qaidi added that the increase in the number of tourists confirms the great success achieved by the major tourism and entertainment events that were held in the Kingdom, including the Formula 1 race and the Bahrain Food Festival, which attracted about 175,000 visitors over two weeks, and the Manama Golden Festival, which included about 180 stores with sales. 1.1 million Bahraini dinars ($2.9 million) and others, in addition to unprecedented promotional campaigns for the Bahraini tourism sector in many countries around the world.
These statistics are consistent with the findings of a report published by money.co.uk, which stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain has experienced the fastest rate of tourism recovery in the world since the lifting of Covid-related restrictions on tourism and travel. The research was based on data and indicators of the performance of the tourism industry in 2021.
BTEA recently signed 75 agreements with tour operators in countries such as Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Spain and Italy, launching a special BTEA office at Bahrain International Airport to welcome and guide tourists, launching an electronic system to link hotels and restaurants to the authority and collect accurate statistics, and launch the Kingdom’s event list.
The authority also strengthened its presence on social media and participated for the first time in the World Travel Week in Oman and the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) exhibition in Israel. It also announced the upcoming launch of a full-featured program for tourism in Bahrain, along with tours of the Manama Souq.
The authority has also implemented several tourism infrastructure projects, including the new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center, of which 70% is complete, in addition to Bahrain Bay Beach, Galali Beach and a diving park.
FKN