Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in the 2026 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14 to 17 September 2026. The event, themed “Travel 2040: New Horizons Through Innovation and Technology,” brings together industry professionals, decision-makers, and leaders in the travel and tourism sector, along with representatives from global enterprises specializing in the field.
Significance of the Arabian Travel Market
Minister Al Sairafi underscored that the Arabian Travel Market is one of the most significant global platforms focusing on the travel and tourism sector. It provides vital opportunities for international collaboration, showcases the latest industry trends that contribute to sector development, and facilitates the establishment of partnerships while exchanging expertise. This, she stated, supports sustainable tourism growth and enhances the competitiveness of tourism destinations.
Bahrain’s Active Participation
The Kingdom of Bahrain is keen on actively participating in this global event, recognising the importance of direct communication with partners and tourism markets. The Minister highlighted the diverse tourism resources of Bahrain, its developed infrastructure, and quality projects that can attract further investments and visitors, thereby bolstering Bahrain’s stature on the regional and global tourism map.
Bahrain’s Pavilion and Participants
This year, Bahrain is represented by a pavilion featuring 28 entities from both the public and private sectors. Notable participants include the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, national carrier Gulf Air, the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre, as well as several luxury hotels and resorts, and destination management companies.
Showcasing Tourism Potential
The Bahraini pavilion covers an area of 420 square meters, where key tourism features of the kingdom will be displayed. Visitors and participants will also be informed about the latest tourism projects and initiatives. Furthermore, the pavilion serves as a venue for bilateral meetings with tourism sector representatives from various countries, focusing on exploring collaborative opportunities and sharing best practices in sustainable tourism. This aligns with the objectives of the Tourism Sector Strategy 2022-2026.
High-Level Ministerial Session
During the event, Minister Al Sairafi participated in a high-level ministerial session organised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, titled “Building a Resilient Tourism Sector Through Cooperation.” This session included distinguished figures such as Abdullah bin Touq Al Mari, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, and Sheikha Nasra Al Nowais, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, along with several ministers, senior officials, and representatives of international institutions and global tourism companies.
Discussion on Enhancing Tourism Resilience
The session facilitated discussions on various topics aimed at enhancing the resilience of the tourism sector, bolstering traveller confidence, developing cooperation between governments and the private sector, and enhancing air connectivity and investment to support sustainable growth in the region’s tourism industry.
Collaboration within the Gulf Cooperation Council
During her address in the session, Minister Al Sairafi pointed out that the integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries serves as a successful model for building resilience within the tourism sector. She noted that Gulf partnerships and cooperative coordination have strengthened traveller confidence, supported the continuity of travel flows, and established the region as a comprehensive tourism destination capable of responding to regional and international changes.
Bilateral Meeting with UAE Minister
On the sidelines of the event, Minister Al Sairafi held a bilateral meeting with Abdullah bin Touq Al Mari, the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism. They discussed ways to enhance tourism cooperation between the two brotherly nations, exchanged views on various topics of mutual interest, and explored opportunities and initiatives that could support the growth of the tourism sector and strengthen common interests.