Routes World 2024
Kingdom of Bahrain
• 6 – 8 October 2024
Why Bahrain?
Combined with the country’s strategic location, business-friendly environment, world-class digital infrastructure, pro-innovation regulatory structure and talented workforce, Bahrain will serve as the perfect destination to unite the global route development community.
Getting to Bahrain
Every major city in the GCC can be reached within an hour’s flying time from Bahrain including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The airport is currently served by its flag carrier, Gulf Air, and other major carriers including British Airways, Egyptair, Emirates, Etihad, Indigo, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
With the launch of the new Passenger Terminal Building, which was awarded the World’s Best New Airport at the Skytrax 2022 World Airport Awards, Bahrain’s transportation and aviation sector has taken a massive leap forward, bringing the Kingdom closer to its economic diversification and sustainability goals.
An economic vision
Bahrain has the most diversified economy in the GCC region, having seen strong growth in the financial services, technology innovation, manufacturing and logistics sectors. Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 aims for a productive, robust economy that is sustainable, globally competitive and fair. Driven by a pioneering private sector, the nation’s ultimate goal is to double the income of every Bahraini household by 2030.
A warmth of hospitality
With an average of 11 million visitors a year, Manama is a multicultural, cosmopolitan city with a liberal lifestyle and a high quality of life. What makes Bahrain unique is the warmth and friendliness of its people and their history of co-existence. Serving 4,000+ years as a commercial crossroads, Bahrain has created a legacy of diversity and acceptance.
A growing tourism destination
Being the region’s only island destination, our exciting array of tourist attractions range from city and cultural tours to water sports, pearl diving, beach escapes, golfing, motorsports, arts, historic sites, theatre shows, dining, shopping experiences and more. Other thriving tourism attractions include Formula One Bahrain International Circuit; Bahrain National Theatre and an 18-hole championship standard golf course designed by golfing legend Colin Montgomerie.
Significant investment
Over USD30 billion worth of investments in strategic projects, including infrastructure and tourism projects, are set to further catalyse growth and reinforce Bahrain as an international tourism hub. In the longer term, these will be joined by five new cities, designed from the ground up to be hubs for clean industry, renewable energy and tourism, which will expand Bahrain’s urbanised area by 60 per cent.
"With its advanced infrastructure, facilities, and services, BIA is capable of efficiently meeting Bahrain’s present and future needs, cementing its reputation as one of the key airports in the region. In 2023, we welcomed 6 new carriers, including SCAT Airlines, and Azerbaijan Airlines and added 8 new destinations, demonstrating our commitment to connecting Bahrain with the world. Moreover, we have received many prestigious global aviation industry recognitions in 2023, which reflect the hard work and professionalism of our team”
Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah
CEO, Bahrain Airport Company
A destination putting events at the forefront of its agenda
Long before Abu Dhabi became a hotspot for mega Formula One races such as the Grand Prix, hosting such as race in the region was literally unheard of. Until 2004, that is. In 2004 Bahrain hosted the first-ever Grand Prix in the Middle East and put the region on the map for large sporting events.
Renowned for hosting various international events and exhibitions, Bahrain attracts visitors from all over the world. We have also successfully organised major aviation events, such as the Bahrain International Airshow, ACI conferences, IATA events and cargo and logistics forums.
"Bahrain's role in hosting major international sporting events will increase the tourism sector and enhance Bahrain's standing as a regional and global tourism destination, increasing prosperity, diversity, and growth."
Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi
Minister of Tourism
The Routes Guide to Bahrain
Bahrain might be the smallest country in the Arabian Gulf, but it has much to offer in terms of arts, culture and cuisine, and a compelling history that dates back a millennia. We have received a couple of questions regarding the destination, so we thought that members of our team with first-hand experience could provide you with more information.