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!
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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)
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Bin Faqeeh Svd Apts (2019)
Al Zallaq CoastlineFive Star Resort (2022)Sahel Resort (2019)Fairmont Resort (2020)
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Janabiya Svd Apts (2020)
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$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!
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