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TradeArabia reported that Al Sairafi met Malta’s Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela to discuss tourism cooperation, destination development, diversification of products and service improvements during the summit in Valletta. The Bahrain minister reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to expanding international partnerships and attracting quality investments to support tourism and economic growth. In talks with Nick Adams, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Global Tourism and Values, Al Sairafi explored cooperation in destination promotion, public-private partnerships and the role of major international events in stimulating travel and tourism investment. The meeting also highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Bahrain and the United States.
Al Sairafi additionally held discussions with executives from four major international companies to explore opportunities across tourism, retail, hospitality and travel, according to the same report. Her conversation with Pansy Ho, executive chairman and managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, centred on destination development and integrated tourism projects. Talks with Trip.com Group chief executive Jane Jie Sun focused on digital tourism marketing and strengthening Bahrain’s visibility on global travel platforms while a meeting with Value Retail chair and global chief merchant Désirée Bollier addressed developing shopping tourism experiences.
Separate discussions with Elie Maalouf, global chief executive of IHG Hotels and Resorts, examined hotel expansion and investment opportunities in the kingdom. These engagements occurred as Bahrain formalised its membership in the World Travel and Tourism Council, a move Al Sairafi described as opening broader opportunities to engage with industry leaders, decision-makers and international institutions. The minister’s remarks, carried by News of Bahrain, emphasised that the membership will facilitate the exchange of expertise, open new avenues for cooperation, partnerships and investment.
World Travel and Tourism Council data places Bahrain’s travel and tourism sector contribution at 10.8 percent of national GDP in 2024, ranking the kingdom 13th among 42 economies tracked in the council’s latest research. The WTTC’s 26th Global Summit, held under the theme Future (RE)set, examined major transformations shaping the global sector including seamless travel experiences, the growing impact of artificial intelligence, sustainability, innovation and the role of technology. More than 1,000 delegates including over 200 chief executives attended the event hosted in cooperation with the Malta Tourism Authority.
Al Sairafi noted that joining the council reflects Bahrain’s commitment to expanding its international tourism partnerships and strengthening direct engagement with the global private sector. The membership enables Bahrain to draw on international experience in developing tourism destinations and products as well as enhancing the quality of the visitor experience. Such participation ensures the kingdom’s representation in the council’s specialised initiatives and programmes while providing opportunities to explore further tourism cooperation and investment.
Rapid changes across the global travel and tourism industry make active engagement in specialised international platforms essential, Al Sairafi added in comments reported by News of Bahrain. This involvement allows Bahrain to use data and indicators to develop programmes and initiatives while exploring the latest travel and tourism practices and gaining insights into key applications of technology and artificial intelligence. The approach aligns with the kingdom’s aspirations for a more sustainable tourism sector that supports long-term economic objectives.
