Case Study Bahrain

Jerad Bachar

Bahrain Economic Development Board

Executive Director – Tourism, Real Estate, Education, Healthcare

Case Study Bahrain:

Developing a diversified regional tourism destination

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 semi-precious stones into Sumer, Babylon and Assyria until the mid-second millennium B.C.

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.

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.

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).

The last 100 years… Bahrain’s economy was heavily based in

trade and the pearl industry since the

early 17th 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.

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.

Innovation!

to start formal education in the

GCC 1919

1st

to discover oil in the GCC 1928

1st

Bahrain has been a regional pioneer, with a constant drive for

further improvements

to establish a banking sector in

the GCC 1961

1st

international airport in the GCC 1932

1st

in the GCC to start a diversification strategy 19601st

globally to introduce Islamic banking regulations

2001

1st

regionally to introduce democratic reforms 2001

1stto liberalize the telecoms market in the GCC 2004

1st

modern hospital in the region 1902

1st

Tech!Government

Ecosystem

Source: Annual wealth report Global Wealth 2016

A growing number of Incubators & Accelerators

FinTastic Bahrain

VC Fund of Funds

C5/AWS Cloud Accelerator NestBrinc

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.

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

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.

Development!

8

9

3

10

4

1

2

6

Bahrain

Diyar Al MuharraqNaseem 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)

DilmuniaDilmunia Resort (2020)

JuffairDoubleTree Svd Apts (2018)Dadabai Hotel (2019)Swiss Bel Svd Apts (2019)

Marina Club DevelopmentBahrain Marina Hotel (2020)Bahrain Marina Svd Apts (2020)

HiddFour Star Hotel Hidd (2020)

Seef / ManamaCampbell Gray Hotel (2018)Dusit D2 Svd Apts (2018)Amlak Svd Apts (2020)Naseej Svd Apts (2020)

Hawar Island Resort (2021)

Bahrain Bay / Financial HarbourBin Faqeeh Svd Apts (2020)Hilton @ The Avenues (2020)Hotel @ Villimar(2020)Harbour Row Hotel (2020)Harbour Row Svd Apts (2020)

Water Garden CityMarriott Residence Inn Svd Apts (2020)Swiss Bel Hotel Resort (2018)

5

7

Bin Faqeeh Svd Apts (2019)

Al Zallaq CoastlineFive Star Resort (2022)Sahel Resort (2019)Fairmont Resort (2020)

11

Janabiya Svd Apts (2020)

12

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

$13 bn

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

Marhaban bekom fe al Bahrain!