Saturday, August 10, 2024 The Tribune Daily Her Excellency Ms. Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, emphasized the critical need to unify marketing and promotional strategies across the GCC countries to present them as a collective and attractive tourist destination. She called for the development of an integrated tourism system that would not only strengthen the travel and tourism sector throughout the region but also increase the influx of visitors.
This approach aligns with Bahrain’s tourism strategy for 2022-2026, which prioritizes the GCC countries as a primary target market, positioning the region as a unified and appealing destination for international tourists. This advocacy for a cohesive tourism strategy was highlighted during a coordination meeting between Minister Al Sairafi and Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al Fagaan, Chairman of Kuwait Airways, during her official visit to Kuwait. The discussions during this meeting focused on the launch of exclusive tourism packages through collaboration between Bahrain and Kuwait Airways.
These packages aim to enhance the tourist experience for those traveling between Bahrain and Kuwait by offering a wider variety of options and services, thus making the journey more enriching and diverse for travelers. Minister Al Sairafi stressed that this collaboration with Kuwait Airways is a significant step forward in promoting intra-GCC tourism. By marketing the Arabian Gulf region as a single, cohesive tourist destination, the partnership seeks to elevate the global profile of the GCC as a desirable destination.
Furthermore, the meeting reaffirmed the importance of the tourism cooperation agreement already in place between Bahrain and Kuwait, which serves as a foundation for these new initiatives aimed at increasing tourism flow between the two nations. The integrated approach discussed between Bahrain and Kuwait Airways is seen as a pivotal move towards fostering a stronger regional tourism sector. By pooling resources and aligning marketing efforts, the GCC countries can create a more powerful and compelling narrative that highlights the unique cultural and natural attractions of the Gulf region.
This strategy is expected to not only attract more visitors but also to encourage longer stays and higher spending, benefiting the economies of all member states. Ultimately, this initiative underscores the strategic importance of cooperation between Gulf nations in the tourism sector. By presenting a united front, the GCC countries can better compete on the global stage, offering a diverse and comprehensive tourism experience that leverages the strengths and attractions of each member state.
The meeting between Minister Al Sairafi and Captain Al Fagaan marks a significant step towards realizing this vision, as both Bahrain and Kuwait are committed to enhancing the region’s appeal to international tourists through coordinated efforts and innovative tourism packages. The meeting also provided an opportunity to review Bahrain’s significant accomplishments in the tourism sector, alongside its upcoming projects, while exploring avenues to enhance cooperation between Bahrain and Kuwait. The discussions focused on leveraging national holidays, as well as regional and international events hosted by both countries, to further strengthen tourism integration and promote collaborative efforts.
Captain Al Faqaan expressed his pleasure at the opportunity to meet with Her Excellency the Minister of Tourism and her accompanying delegation during their visit to the Kuwait Airways headquarters. He acknowledged the importance of this visit, which aimed to deepen the cooperative ties between Kuwait and Bahrain within the tourism industry. As Kuwait’s national airline, Captain Al Fagaan highlighted Kuwait Airways’ vital role in supporting the government’s objectives.
He emphasized the airline’s commitment to actively participating in events, celebrations, and projects that serve the mutual interests of Kuwait and Bahrain, thereby reinforcing the strong bond between the two nations in the tourism sector. Captain Al Fagaan concluded the meeting by extending his heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation to Her Excellency the Minister of Tourism and her delegation for their visit to Kuwait Airways. He expressed his sincere optimism that this meeting would serve as a catalyst for further strengthening the fraternal bonds between Kuwait and Bahrain.
Captain Al Fagaan emphasized the importance of nurturing and expanding the cooperative relationship between the two countries, highlighting the potential benefits for all parties involved. He conveyed his hopes that the collaboration would continue to grow, bringing about positive outcomes not only for the tourism sectors of both nations but also for the broader economic and cultural ties that unite them. His closing remarks reflected a strong commitment to ensuring that this partnership flourishes, ultimately enriching the experiences of travelers and contributing to the shared prosperity of both countries.
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