Sustainable tourism vital to safeguard Bahrain's environment, says expert

Visit Bahrain, a leading destination management company in the kingdom, has highlighted the crucial role being played by the firm in advancing sustainable development and safeguarding the environment, natural and cultural heritage, ecosystems and habitats.

Emphasizing the significance of promoting environmentally conscious and sustainable tourism, Visit Bahrain said it serves as a foundation for striking a harmonious equilibrium between tourism progress and the preservation of the environment and natural resources.

"This supports the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahrain Tourism Authority in developing the tourism sector as a whole," remarked Visit Bahrain CEO Ali Amralla.

Furthermore, Amralla stressed the importance of bolstering Bahrain's tourism offerings and future travel destinations to boost competitiveness.

"This approach also aims to achieve economic, social, and environmental growth in tourist regions. He affirmed the necessity of adopting policies and strategies that focus on sustainable tourism and the integration of biodiversity into Bahrain's tourist destinations," he noted.

Amralla also called for the formulation of sustainability guidelines tailored to the tourism sector and the establishment of reference standards for consultation.

He highlighted the critical role of implementing sustainability criteria across diverse tourist facilities, and advocated for the adoption of a comprehensive guide for all tourism sector entities and representatives, outlining the finest practices in the field of sustainable tourism, as featured in International Tourism Planning & Development.

Amralla highlighted the crucial nature of backing environmentally conscious endeavors within hotel establishments and embracing forthcoming global trends that emphasize responsible tourism and sustainability.

"This process aims to ingrain these values within local tourist destinations and amenities, motivating them to heighten their dedication to sustainability benchmarks. Encouraging initiatives are being taken to amplify sustainable awareness within the sector and among tourists, along with a focus on innovation and digital transformation within the industry," stated the top official.

"These actions seek to boost revenues, foster growth, and create opportunities for SMEs. These efforts align with Bahrain's Vision 2030 and the objectives of its economic agenda," he added.

According to him, the transition to sustainable tourism represents a strategic move towards positioning the Kingdom of Bahrain as a premier destination for global travellers seeking high-quality sustainable experiences.

This entails an advanced tourism product crafted through innovative environmentally friendly practices, which not only limit carbon emissions but also foster sustainable advancement. This aligns with the future aspirations of the tourism and travel sector, marked by its commitment to promoting sustainable, economically prosperous, and environmentally responsible tourism,” added Amralla.

Visit Bahrain CEO urged tourist establishments, tourist attractions and hotels to allocate resources towards the adoption of sustainable technologies, with the aim of cultivating a more ecologically viable tourism sector.

Such endeavors would not only enhance the industry's sustainability but also play a pivotal role in realizing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and reaching a state of net-zero emissions by 2050, noted Amralla.

Furthermore, these efforts are instrumental in furnishing a well-defined pathway for local tourism enterprises, travel agencies, tour operators, and similar entities to align their operations with principles of sustainability, he added.

Source: Trade Arabia