BTEA CEO highlights human capital’s role in sustainable tourism growth

Sarah Ahmed Buhiji, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), held a dialogue session with a group of young participants in the third edition of the “Future Bet” programme, organised by the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD). The BTEA CEO underscored that investing in human capital is among the Authority’s top priorities, noting that capacity-building and skills development form the foundation of any sustainable growth and qualitative transformation in the tourism sector. This, she said, is in line with the aspirations of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the goals of its comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. As reported by Bahrain News Agency, during the discussion, Buhiji highlighted the role of BTEA in promoting both domestic and international tourism and in contributing to the growth of the national economy. She highlighted the Authority’s strategies to develop tourism infrastructure and organise major events and exhibitions, in addition to the sector’s active contribution in creating promising job and investment opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship. She emphasised the importance of involving youth in advancing the tourism sector and raising their awareness of the fruitful opportunities it offers for the future, noting that the Authority’s vision and future plans are aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. Buhiji noted that tourism is a key driver of comprehensive development, as it creates quality opportunities for citizens across various sectors, attracts local and foreign investments, and supports an integrated ecosystem encompassing hospitality, transport, retail, food and beverage, creative industries, and related services. She also discussed the objectives of the Tourism Strategy 2022–2026, launched as a roadmap built around four main goals: positioning the Kingdom of Bahrain as a global tourism hub, increasing tourism’s contribution to GDP, expanding target markets, and diversifying the tourism product. She added that BTEA is actively managing tourism programmes and initiatives, organising local and international events, and promoting Bahrain as a world-class tourism destination. The “Future Bet” programme aims to continue empowering participants and raising their awareness of the Kingdom’s comprehensive development process, which reflects the visions of His Majesty the King and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It also aims to educate them on the Sustainable Development Goals and their connection to Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, while equipping them with essential skills and knowledge, fostering teamwork, and training them to present creative and developmental initiatives that contribute to the Kingdom’s advancement. The programme further focuses on strengthening leadership skills, promoting dialogue and exchange of views, and preparing youth for active engagement in national development. The third edition builds on the success of the previous two, and features a series of dialogue sessions bringing together ministers, senior officials, and distinguished leaders with participating youth to discuss issues of importance to the Kingdom’s present and future.