Tourism & Culture Sector

During the reign of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s tourism and cultural sectors have experienced significant growth, achieving numerous milestones that established these sectors as key pillars of the Kingdom’s economic and social development. Bahrain has hosted numerous events, invested in vital infrastructure, and adopted new policies to promote tourism, while launching initiatives to preserve and promote the Kingdom’s heritage and culture for future generations.

Over the past 25 years, Bahrain has focused on protecting and enriching its national cultural identity, aligning it with modern times and showcasing it as a core part of the Kingdom's civilisational identity. Key initiatives were implemented to preserve and promote Bahrain’s heritage, particularly in the realm of cultural tourism.

Significant milestones include the inscription of the Bahrain Fort on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005, followed by the establishment of the Isa Cultural Centre, and the opening of the Bahrain Fort Museum in 2008. The first Bahrain International Airshow, held in 2010, created a unique platform for high-level aviation industry delegates, and has since become an annual fixture, boosting both the national economy and tourism sector. The event has increased hotel and restaurant occupancy rates and enhanced the overall activity of travel agents and other tourism stakeholders.

In 2012, the Pearling Path was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Bahrain National Theatre opened as part of Bahrain’s cultural investment. The theatre has hosted major international performances, enhancing Bahrain’s reputation as a cultural hub. Other notable achievements include the creation of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage.

In 2015, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority was established, and in 2019, the Dilmun Burial Mounds were included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In 2021, the Al Dana Amphitheatre opened as Bahrain’s premier entertainment venue, drawing visitors with its prime location near the Bahrain International Circuit and state-of-the-art facilities.

That same year, Bahrain’s Fijri musical tradition was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In 2022, the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sakhir was launched, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a leading host of major regional and global conferences.

Bahrain’s efforts in hosting global events, investing in infrastructure, and promoting its culture led to a rise in tourist numbers, reaching 12.4 million visitors in 2023. The number of hospitality institutions grew to 245 hotels and 149 tourist restaurants. Bahrain is now home to seven museums and visitor centres at historical sites, as well as seven music and sound arts houses.

These achievements over the past quarter-century have positioned Bahrain as an ideal tourist destination, marking a significant chapter in the Kingdom’s tourism and cultural development under His Majesty’s reign.