Travel in Bahrain

Bahrain, on the southwestern coast of the Arabian Gulf, has seen a fresh, new range of hotels, experiences and restaurants open in the last few months. From over 20 new luxury accommodation in the last few years to exciting cultural expeditions, these upcoming additions offer visitors limitless opportunities to enjoy an unforgettable journey through the country. Bahrain is an archipelago surrounded by shallow, crystal clear waters and comprising of 33 islands. Bursting with culture, history, art, vibrant natural scenery and delicious food, the kingdom invites visitors to experience the endless possibilities of island life.

One of the most powerful real estate developers in the Gulf is partnering with the Indonesian government to boost its tourism sector.

Frasers Hospitality, a strategic business unit of Frasers Property, is fortifying its international expansion through collaborations with capital partners and third-party hotel operators that complement its operational excellence within the extended stay segment. This business transformation strengthens the position of Frasers Hospitality as an investor and operator of choice within the long-stay lodging segment.

Tourism in the Middle Eastern country of Oman is improving. The Gulf nation was hit hard by Covid and had long struggled to recoup its tourism sector. But government measures are helping.

BAS Aircraft Engineering Training Center partners with Gulf Air to provide BAETC students with hands-on maintenance experience.

Celestyal signs MOU with DCT Abu Dhabi and AD Ports to promote Abu Dhabi as a prime destination on its ‘Desert Days’ cruise itinerary, enhancing its regional profile.

The first-ever WALA conference in the Gulf and Middle East regions will bring together 100 delegates from over 25 countries.

Hopping between Gulf countries could soon be as easy as traveling through Europe's Schengen Area: just flash your passport at the entry point and seamlessly travel from one country to the next—no extra paper work required.

The sun-drenched sepia photograph shows a dapper European, handkerchief in pocket, cigarette in hand, sitting among a row of men dressed in bisht and keffiyeh. The moment was captured during Jacques Cartier's first visit to the Persian Gulf in 1911, on his way back to London from Delhi—part of a sales trip encouraged by his father, Alfred, then the head of Cartier. The decline of the Ottoman Empire and the 1905 Persian Constitutional Revolution had flooded Europe's artistic centers with new influences, forging an aesthetic then known as “the Muslim arts.” Eager to learn more, Jacques spent four months traveling throughout Asia and the Middle East, rifling through bazaars and emporiums and mixing with high society.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is thrilled to announce Bahrain’s exceptional achievement at the 31st World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony, where the Kingdom secured two prestigious awards. Firstly, Bahrain was honored with the “Middle East’s Leading Wedding Destination 2024” award, recognizing its growing popularity as a top regional choice for elaborate weddings and luxurious bridal events. This accolade reflects Bahrain’s impressive tourism offerings and its ability to host magnificent celebrations, solidifying its reputation as an ideal destination for grand weddings and festive gatherings.

Saudi Arabia’s spare-no-expense cruise brand Aroya is set to launch this December, promising cigar lounges, jacuzzis, 28 dining options, 20 venues for entertainment, a retail area, and wellness and spa facilities.

The head of Saudi Arabian tourism wants Taylor Swift to bring her tour to the Middle East. Of course he does; Swift’s Eras tour has a proven track record of boosting economies wherever it goes.

World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has revealed its Middle East 2024 winners. The announcement coincides with the start of Arabian Travel Market, the region’s leading industry event.

Gulf-wide collaboration, ease of inter-regional travel and infrastructure development were placed under the microscope at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, which saw a selection of policymakers discuss the streamlining of the GCC’s thriving tourism industry. The 31st edition of ATM is being hosted at Dubai World Travel Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 9 May.

A Taylor Swift tour is on Saudi Arabia’s radar. That’s not saying much of course – Swift is on every destination’s radar. But Saudi says such a concert could be in the country’s future if the wider Arabia does more to promote itself as a unified destination.

Emirates is famed for its extravagant service onboard its current fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. It’s therefore little surprise that expectations are high for its incoming A350s – an aircraft that has been years in the making.

Celestyal Cruises is expanding into the Middle East with new itineraries and new ports in the Arabian Gulf. 

Hotel brands may seem a dime a dozen, but there is a reason why there are so many. The idea is two-fold: hospitality companies want to appeal to a variety of consumers while also drawing in different types of hotel and hospitality investors interested in opening a hotel under their brand name.

Saudi Arabia is projected to have 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 as the Kingdom ramps up efforts to accommodate an annual influx of 150mn tourists, both domestic and international, according to a report by global property consultancy Knight Frank. This massive expansion of the hospitality sector is central to achieving Saudi Arabia’s goal of increasing the travel and tourism industry’s contribution to the economy from nearly 6% to 10% by the end of this decade, the report stated.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to deliver 320,000 new hotel rooms – with a development cost of US$37.8 billion – by 2030 as part of its unprecedented investment in infrastructure, tourism transformation and real estate, according to industry data released ahead of the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia, 29 April to 1 May.

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List, our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech, or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List hotel winners for 2024.