Case Study Bahrain. Jerad Bachar Bahrain Economic Development Board Executive Director Tourism, Real Estate, Education, Healthcare

Transcription

1 Case Study Bahrain Jerad Bachar Bahrain Economic Development Board Executive Director Tourism, Real Estate, Education, Healthcare

2 Case Study Bahrain: Developing a diversified regional tourism destination

3 The story begins 5,000 years ago Bahrain was the central site of the ancient Dilmun civilization. Reference to Dilmun appears first in Sumerian cuneiform clay tablets dated to the end of fourth millennium BC. Bahrain became the host of influential middlemen trafficking copper ore, gold, tin, ivory, and semiprecious stones into Sumer, Babylon and Assyria until the mid-second millennium B.C.

4 4,000 year ago Bahrain was referred to by the ancient Greeks as Tylos, the centre of pearl trading, when the Greek admiral, Nearchus, first visited the island.

5 4,000 year ago The pearl fisheries of Tylos (the ancient name for Bahrain) have been well documented throughout history including by the renowned Roman author, naturalist and philosopher, Pliny. The Kingdom s pearls have long held legendary status for their purity, brilliance and stunning beauty. It is thought that this is somewhat due to Bahrain s the oyster bed locations being situated near to underwater sweet water springs.

6 1,500 years ago Bahrain embraced Islam in 629. Today, you can visit Al Khamis Mosque, founded in 692, which was one of the earliest mosques built in Bahrain. Bahrain's prosperity continued to be dependent on markets in Mesopotamia. Bahrain greatly benefited from the region's increased demand for foreign goods especially from China and South Asia. Bahrain became a hub for intellectuals for hundreds of years stretching from the early days of Islam in the 6th century to the 18th century. Philosophers of Bahrain were highly esteemed, such as the 13th century mystic, Sheikh Maitham Al Bahrani (died in 1299).

7 The last 100 years Bahrain s economy was heavily based in trade and the pearl industry since the early 17 th century. The golden age of pearling is stated to have been between the 1850s to 1930, when pearls were more precious than diamonds and had attracted jewelers like Jacques Cartier to the country. There were around 30,000 pearl divers by the end of 1930 across 2,500 ships, as pearling was the principal industry in Bahrain prior to the discovery of oil in 1932 and the advent of cultured pearls.

8 Oil! Bahrain was the first place on the Arabian side of the Gulf where oil was discovered, and it coincided with the collapse of the world pearl market.

9 Innovation! to start formal education in the GCC 1919 to establish a banking sector in the GCC 1961 globally to introduce Islamic banking regulations 2001 modern hospital in the region 1902 to discover oil in the GCC 1928 international airport in the GCC 1932 Bahrain has been a regional pioneer, with a constant drive for further improvements to liberalize the telecoms market in the GCC 2004 in the GCC to start a diversification strategy 1960 regionally to introduce democratic reforms 2001

10 Tech! A growing number of Incubators & Accelerators Government Brinc C5/AWS Cloud Accelerator Nest FinTastic Bahrain Ecosystem VC Fund of Funds Source: Annual wealth report Global Wealth 2016

11 Zoom! The Bahrain International Circuit is the motorsport venue in Bahrain which opened in 2004 and is used for drag racing, GP2 Series and the annual Bahrain Grand Prix. The 2004 Grand Prix was the first held in the Middle East. The Grand Prix attracts close to 100,000 spectators over and is one of over 450 annual events held at the circuit. The BIC is a favored track among many of the world s best F1 racers.

12 Authentic! Bahrain is more than a place, it is the people that make it special It is a place that you don't just visit, you feel Bahrain is authentic, hospitable, modern, and boutique

13 Culture! Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites First Catholic Church in the GCC 200 year old Hindu Temple Three forts dating back 600 years Bahrain National Theatre & Museum Bab al Bahrain Manama Souq Old Houses of Muharraq A walk through time Boats Trips to Bu Maher Fort The origins of pearl trade Bahraini Artists An eclectic mix of painters, photographers, sculptors, film makers, musicians, chocolatiers, chefs, and more.

14 Development! 1 Diyar Al Muharraq Naseem Canal Hotel (2021) Dragon City Hotel (2019) Address Resort (2020) Address Svd Apts (2020) Traditional Boutique Hotel (2020) Vida Resort (2020) Vida Svd Apts (2020) Marina Club Development Bahrain Marina Hotel (2020) Bahrain Marina Svd Apts (2020) Seef / Manama Campbell Gray Hotel (2018) Dusit D2 Svd Apts (2018) Amlak Svd Apts (2020) Naseej Svd Apts (2020) $13 bn 2 3 Dilmunia Dilmunia Resort (2020) Hidd Four Star Hotel Hidd (2020) Bahrain 8 9 Juffair DoubleTree Svd Apts (2018) Dadabai Hotel (2019) Swiss Bel Svd Apts (2019) Hawar Island Resort (2021) 4 Water Garden City Marriott Residence Inn Svd Apts (2020) Swiss Bel Hotel Resort (2018) Bin Faqeeh Svd Apts (2019) 5 Bahrain Bay / Financial Harbour Bin Faqeeh Svd Apts (2020) The Avenues (2020) Villimar(2020) Harbour Row Hotel (2020) Harbour Row Svd Apts (2020) Al Zallaq Coastline Five Star Resort (2022) Sahel Resort (2019) Fairmont Resort (2020) Janabiya Svd Apts (2020)

15 Fast Facts! 4.8% growth non-oil GDP Ranked globally as one of the best places to live for expats 11.4 million tourism visitors in 2017 $1.1 billion currently invested in the airport modernization program $13 billion in tourism related real-estate projects underway King Fahd Causeway expansion of entry kiosks underway from 17 to 45

16 Marhaban bekom fe al Bahrain!