Bahrain draws $5.4bn from tourism in 2025

 TDT | Manama

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Bahrain drew $5.4 billion in tourism receipts in 2025, up seven per cent on the year, placing it among the Arab world’s top tourism earners, according to UN Tourism figures.

The kingdom ranked fifth among the Arab countries listed, ahead of Qatar and Kuwait, as visitor numbers, hotel stays and leisure spending all rose.

The accommodation and food sector grew by 6.4 pc in 2025. Overnight visitors climbed 10.9 pc to 7.3 million, while tourist nights rose 5.2 pc to 20.2 million.

Average daily spending by each visitor also rose five pc to $192.

Saudi Arabia topped the Arab list, with tourism receipts of $42.6bn, up four pc.

Egypt came second on $18.2bn, a 19 pc rise, followed by Morocco, where receipts reached $14.8bn after a 29 pc increase.

Jordan ranked fourth with $7.8bn.

Bahrain came next, ahead of Qatar, which recorded $5.3bn after a 38 pc fall, Lebanon on $4.6bn and Kuwait on $2.1bn.

The figures come as Bahrain widens its hotel and resort market and adds new places to stay across several price bands.

Tourism bodies, hotels and travel firms have been working on summer offers that link stays with leisure, shopping and events.

Much of that work is aimed at Gulf Co-operation Council visitors, who remain one of Bahrain’s main sources of tourism traffic.

Hotels are also working with malls, event firms and tourism companies on family offers for Gulf visitors and other short-break travellers.

The kingdom has added sports, leisure, exhibition and conference events to its annual calendar, in a bid to lift hotel occupancy and support businesses tied to tourism.