Manama, the capital of Bahrain has been named the Capital of Arab Tourism for the year 2020.  The announcement was made during the 22nd session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, held in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last week. In an attempt to promote Bahrain as a leading tourism destination in the world, the council, which consists of eight Arab countries, has elected Manama as the Arab Tourism capital for the second time, the first time being in 2013.

Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, stated that the development is the reflection of the Kingdom’s efforts to enhance bilateral tourism with other GCC and Arab countries.

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Following the announcement, the BTEA revealed a new logo for Bahrain by displaying it on the side of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay during the New Years Eve celebrations on 31 December. Home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Kingdom witnessed a rise in tourism last year. The Qal’at Al Bahrain, The Bahrain Pearling Trail and the Dilmun Burial Mounds that were recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage sites in 2019 are among the main tourist attractions of the region.