Tourism sector in Bahrain saw remarkable growth last year, Industry and Commerce Minister Zayed Al Zayani announced yesterday (February 15).

The revenues reached BD288 million ($758.3 million), an increase of 17.4 per cent over the same period in 2013, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

According to statistics, more than 10 million people visited Bahrain, a growth of 11.1 per cent over 2013, including 6.6 million visitors from the GCC countries - an increase of 16.8 per cent over 2013.

Saudis represented majority of GCC visitors of around six million with an increase of 19.3 per cent compared with 2013.

Bahrain's hotels registered occupancy rate of 50.2 per cent last year - an increase of 11.6 per cent over 2013.

A total of 2,100 Bahrainis are employed in the hospitality sector, which has seen an increase in the Bahrainisation rate by 23 per cent last year.

Bahrain also received 26 ships and 41,000 tourists, reflecting an increase of 8.5 per cent compared with 2013 season.

Al Zayani pledged to work with investors to boost the hospitality and tourism sector in Bahrain.

“The ministry welcomes all investors and owners of tourism and hospitality projects to discuss the challenges and ways of eliminating them by providing key facilities,” he said. - TradeArabia News Service