Abu dhabi: Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism, delivered a keynote address at the 63rd International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) conference held in Abu Dhabi, focusing on “Business Trends and Growth.” The session aligned with the event’s broader themes of innovation, sustainability, and cultural awareness.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the ICCA conference serves as an essential gathering for global experts in the meetings, exhibitions, and conventions industry, fostering knowledge exchange and the development of innovative strategies to meet the sector’s changing demands. Minister Al Sairafi underscored the conference’s role in facilitating international cooperation and idea-sharing within the industry. She detailed Bahrain’s initiatives under its 2022-2026 tourism strategy to enhance its global standing as a tourism hub, particularly in exhibitions and conventions, aiming to increase the sector’s GDP contribution and attract a diverse visitor base.
Further elabo
rating on Bahrain’s efforts, Minister Al Sairafi highlighted significant developments in tourism infrastructure, including the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, which has been recognized as the best new center worldwide. This center is part of Bahrain’s strategic projects to host major international events.
The enhancement of Bahrain International Airport, another award-winning project, was also noted for improving accessibility for tourists. The minister emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in elevating service quality and fostering innovation in event organization. She reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to creating a conducive investment environment in tourism, supporting sustainable development goals, and enhancing cooperation with the private sector.
Additionally, Minister Al Sairafi mentioned Bahrain’s focus on strengthening ties with GCC countries to promote regional tourism integration and increase the Middle East’s attractiveness to international tourists.
