The
Kingdom of Bahrain is looking to fast forward its tourism proposition
this year as the government signs off on multi-billion dollar
transportation infrastructure plans and Manama launches its 2013 Arab
Capital of Tourism calendar of events.
The
country’s proximity to Saudi Arabia, business pedigree, and
international sporting and leisure attractions remain key factors in
driving future tourism receipts.
The
Kingdom will have a strong presence at ATM this year. Major
exhibitors include the Ministry of Culture, Gulf Hotel Bahrain and
participating for the first time at ATM, Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa.
“Bahrain’s
tourism mix covers multiple sectors from
business travellers
to leisure visitors entering via the King Fahd Causeway, which links
Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, and international sports fans attending the
annual F1 Grand Prix; and it’s exactly this diverse market
segmentation that is driving new demand and opportunities, supported
by initiatives such as the recently launched 24-hour tourism
information hotline,” said Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed
Travel Exhibitions.
According
to Alpen Capital’s October 2012 GCC Hospitality Industry Report,
Bahrain’s hospitality market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.8%
between 2011 and 2016, with the relatively high growth attributed to
opportunities for sector recovery following a challenging 2012,
prompting forecasted tourism arrival CAGR growth of 2.9% through to
2022.
With
around 75% of current hotel supply dominated by four and five-star
hotels, the future pipeline remains primarily focused on upscale
properties, but chains like Rotana and Marriott International are
introducing new mid-level brands to the market. At the higher end of
the spectrum, a 260-room Wyndham Grand Manama is expected to open in
Bahrain Bay by the end of 2013, followed by the 50-storey JW Marriott
in 2016.
Marriott
International opened a new 78-room Residence Inn in late 2012 and
will debut the Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Island in 2013, with Rotana
also opening its first Arjaan property this year.
The
ATM 2013 road show will visit eight destinations over a two-week
period this February, starting off in Kuwait and travelling to Qatar,
Lebanon, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, with the Bahrain event being held
today (4th February 2013) at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain & Gulf
Convention Centre.
Bahrain
is also re-energising its transportation infrastructure as the GCC
moves ahead with long term plans to create an integrated
intra-regional rail network. The country’s rail master plan, which
is currently being finalised, includes mainline connections to
neighbouring Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well a domestic network
encompassing metro, light rail and monorail options.
Plans
will be realised by 2030 with the rapid road transit scheme and light
rail network costing a proposed US$9.3 billion. The 90-kilometre link
between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is expected to cost US$4.5 billion
while long-awaited plans for the 40-kilometre causeway link to Qatar
is now likely to come of age just in time for the 2022 FIFA World
Cup.
The
international airport is also due to begin work on its expansion
programme this year, which will boost passenger capacity to 13.5
million visitors according to HVS Dubai’s Q2 2012 Middle East Hotel
Survey, and is due for completion in 2015.
The
total contribution of travel and tourism to Bahrain’s GDP is
forecast to rise by 4.5% from US$3.97 billion (16.5% of GDP) in 2011
to US$6.16 billion (17.4%) by 2021, according to the World Travel and
Tourism Council (WTTC).
