Tourism Minister leads Bahrain’s delegation at UNWTO Executive Council Meeting

Riyadh, Nov. 9 (BNA): Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, led the Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation at the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Riyadh, held alongside the 26th session of the organisation’s General Assembly.

Minister Al Sairafi highlighted Bahrain’s commitment to aligning its tourism sector goals with global trends, supporting the implementation of the Tourism Strategy 2022–2026. She also noted that the Middle East recorded a 29% growth in tourism compared to pre-pandemic levels, the strongest performance among all regions worldwide, according to the UNWTO report discussed during the Executive Council sessions.

She noted that this growth highlights the strength of the region’s tourism sector and its growing contribution to the global economy, emphasising the importance of international cooperation and experience-sharing to achieve sustainable development.

The 24th session of the Executive Council agenda covered strategic issues concerning the future of global tourism and its development amid rapid technological changes.

Discussions focused on expanding partnerships, strengthening governance, promoting sustainability, and fostering innovation in the sector.

The Council also reviewed the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Tourism, aimed at positioning tourism as a key driver of global economic development and recovery, alongside the implementation of the 2024–2025 general work programme.

On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Minister Al Sairafi held a meeting with Gao Zheng, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China.

Both sides discussed updates to the existing tourism cooperation agreement and explored efforts to develop strategic partnerships and enhance mutual promotion, aiming to attract tourists from the promising Chinese market.

The Tourism Minister also met with Nazarbekov Akhmadovich, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss opportunities for tourism cooperation, exchange of expertise and best practices, and expanding joint initiatives to increase intra-regional tourism and strengthen both countries’ positions on the regional and international tourism map.