2025 Issue No. 1
To help colleagues in the domestic and international culture and tourism industry stay up-to-date with cultural and tourism development trends and data in the Gulf region, the China Cultural Center in the UAE, the China Cultural Center in Kuwait, and cultural and tourism staff stationed in Gulf countries have jointly launched the “Gulf Tourism Weekly.” This publication reports on regional cultural and tourism situations, local new policies for culture and tourism, major international cultural and tourism events, and other important information. We welcome your attention and valuable feedback.
Bahrain
Bahrain received a record-breaking 14.88 million tourists in 2024, reaching an all-time high
Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) statistics show that Bahrain received a record-breaking 14.88 million tourists in 2024, representing a 19.94% increase compared to 2023.
According to the latest statistics, the percentage of tourists staying in Bahrain for more than one day rose to 44.47%, reaching 6.618 million people—a 20.67% increase from 2023. Tourists staying for just one day accounted for 55.52%, totaling 8.2636 million people, which is a 19.37% increase from 2023.
Regarding tourist nationalities, 86.18% of visitors came from Saudi Arabia, totaling 12.8255 million people, a 17% increase from 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of Asian tourists visiting Bahrain doubled to 107,400 people, representing 0.72% of Bahrain’s total tourists. Visitors from other GCC countries increased by 26.1%, reaching 1.6082 million people and accounting for 10.8% of the total number of tourists.
(Source: Bahrain National News)
Bahrain’s Gulf Air passenger numbers increased by 5.4% last year
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat has confirmed that Gulf Air will continue to increase revenue and improve performance across all departments. Operating revenue increased to 473 million Bahraini dinars in 2023, a 10% increase compared to 2022, marking the company’s highest revenue since 2012. Gulf Air’s operating expenses reached 429 million dinars in 2022 and 468 million dinars in 2023, while total operating profit increased from 1.510 billion dinars in 2022 to 5.311 billion dinars in 2023.
The Bahraini sovereign fund stated that to improve Gulf Air’s financial situation, they have implemented a financial plan focused on increasing revenue and reducing expenses at a fixed ratio, which will positively impact the gradual reduction of the deficit. The company has also taken several measures to develop operations, resulting in a 5.4% increase in Gulf Air’s passenger numbers last year, reaching 6.2 million passengers. Once the 2024 financial report is completed and approved, shipping revenue and total operating profit are expected to increase by 34% and 53% respectively compared to 2023.
(Source: Bahrain National News)
Iran
Iran’s Tehran Province Road Transport Bureau Director Mehrdad Jahani announced on April 13 that during the peak travel period of Iran’s traditional New Year holiday this year, a total of 712,000 people traveled via public transportation through the province’s major passenger terminals, representing an 8.2% increase compared to the same period last year. The main departure points were Tehran city’s four major passenger terminals and county transportation companies, with popular destinations including Isfahan, Mazandaran, and Gilan provinces. Popular routes within the province were concentrated in Firoozkooh, Damavand, and Rudehen. During this period, 146 transportation companies, 21 stations, 5,706 vehicles, and 3,884 drivers participated in providing transportation services. These services are still ongoing.
Iran’s 2025 Nowruz Holiday Tourism Booms: Over 36 Million Trips Nationwide, Mashhad Most Popular
According to statistics from Iran’s National Tourism Coordination Center, during the 2025 Nowruz holiday period (March 15 to April 3), the country received a total of 36.51 million tourist visits. Mashhad, Shiraz, Tehran, Isfahan, and Bandar Abbas ranked as the top five cities in terms of visitor numbers. Mazandaran and Gilan provinces led the nation in tourism reception volume.
Rail and maritime passenger transportation increased by 4.5% and 6.1% year-on-year respectively, with overall public transportation travel growing by 19%.
Iran’s tourism management department utilized mobile cloud platforms for the first time to precisely monitor tourist movements, improving the efficiency of data collection. Additionally, according to the report, educational institutions across the country opened classrooms to provide simple accommodation services for teachers, with this type of reception increasing by 15% compared to last year.
(Source: Iran Mehr News Agency)
Kuwait
On April 14, the “Francophone Month” activities officially launched in Kuwait. The event will continue until the end of April, with 44 diplomatic missions in Kuwait participating. Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms highly praised Kuwait’s outstanding role and contributions in spreading cultural awareness and embracing diverse cultures and civilizations, describing Kuwait as providing an excellent platform for cultural exchange.
Several ambassadors from Francophone countries to Kuwait unanimously noted that “although Kuwait is not a member of the International Organization of La Francophonie, it actively participates in all matters related to the organization.”
(Source: Kuwait Al-Qabas/Torch Newspaper)
On April 15, Kuwait Airways announced the launch of the “Suwalfna Kuwaiti” (meaning “Our Kuwait”) chat show on airplane screens. The program is hosted by media celebrity Jassim Al-Abouh and Kuwaiti dialect researcher Fatima Al-Omar, focusing on the meanings of Kuwaiti dialect vocabulary, detailed explanations of their usage and correct pronunciation, as well as Kuwaiti cultural heritage. This initiative is part of Kuwait Airways’ plan to update and develop content for aircraft screens, which is refreshed every two months. In addition to rich entertainment programs, the latest international films and exciting series, there are exclusive podcasts and various genres of music, as well as content specifically designed for children, ensuring that family members of all ages can enjoy a pleasant experience.
(Source: Kuwait Al-Siyasa/Politics Newspaper)
Oman
Oman’s Tourist Numbers Decline in 2024, but Its Tourism Development Goals Remain Ambitious
According to Gulf Business Observer, Oman’s tourism industry appears to be struggling compared to other Gulf countries. Data from Oman’s National Center for Statistics and Information shows that the number of tourists visiting Oman in 2024 decreased by nearly 3%, reaching only 3.9 million visitors.
According to Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in 2025, the ministry plans to implement 84 tourism promotion activities, 46 media publicity campaigns, and 19 outreach activities. Additionally, they will organize 43 business inspections and 55 media visits, develop business support platforms for target markets, and hold training programs in areas such as digital marketing, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence. Oman’s tourism industry aims to create over 500,000 tourism jobs by 2040 and attract 19 billion Omani rials in investment.
(Sources: Gulf Business Observer, Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, The Economist)
Qatar
Sports Industry Boosts Regional Tourism Development
According to statistics, the Qatar World Cup had a significant impact on regional tourism, boosting regional tourism and hotel performance by up to 30% that year. Currently, the Middle East’s position in global sports investment has strengthened significantly, with sovereign wealth funds from the region accounting for 24% of global sports investments. Over the next 3-5 years, the Middle East sports market is expected to grow at an “astonishing” rate of 8.7%, exceeding the global average of 7.3%. Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 World Cup and Saudi Arabia securing the rights to host the 2034 World Cup demonstrate the region’s capability and ambition in hosting major events.
The region is also actively exploring new business models in emerging sports fields. Qatar’s investment in Formula One racing, the UAE’s enthusiasm for combat sports, and Saudi Arabia’s national plan for gaming and esports will further consolidate the global leading position of countries in the region as sports tourism destinations.
(Source: Qatar Gulf Times)
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Hosts “Art of the Kingdom” Exhibition
The “Art of the Kingdom” exhibition is currently being held at the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibition runs from February 24 to May 24, 2025. It primarily showcases cultural narratives about Saudi history, historical memories, and cultural heritage, featuring works by 17 contemporary Saudi artists, including videos, art installations, and photography.
According to reports, in early 2017, China and Saudi Arabia cooperated to hold the “Roads of Arabia – Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia” exhibition at the National Museum of China. Against the backdrop of the China-Saudi Arabia Cultural Year, Saudi Arabia has reorganized based on the previous exhibition and plans to return to China in the second half of the year to host another exhibition as an important cultural exchange project.
(Source: Saudi Ministry of Culture official website)
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture Hosts the First “Riyadh Art Week”
From April 6 to 13, the “Visual Arts Commission” of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture hosted the inaugural “Riyadh Art Week” at venues including JAX Art District and ALMOUSA Art Center in Riyadh. Through thematic exhibitions and collection dialogues, the event showcased outstanding works from domestic and international art institutions, artists, and art enthusiasts, highlighting Riyadh’s position in the international cultural sphere. The exhibition also featured art exchanges, live interactions, and experiential projects.
(Source: Website of the Visual Arts Commission of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture)
United Arab Emirates
“TeamLab: Abu Dhabi Phenomenon” Set to Open Soon
The “TeamLab: Abu Dhabi Phenomenon,” a collaborative project between the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, UAE’s Miral Group, and Japan’s teamLab, will officially open to the public on April 18 in the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi. This multi-sensory art experience center, spanning 17,000 square meters, will feature numerous ever-changing exhibits, taking visitors on a sensory journey.
(Source: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism)
Dubai World Art Expo to be Held Soon
The 11th Dubai World Art Expo will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 17 to 20. This four-day expo will bring together more than 400 galleries and artists from 65 countries around the world, showcasing thousands of artworks. As Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global cultural center, the Dubai World Art Expo will play a greater role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and expanding public access to art. As this year’s guest of honor, China will promote dialogue and exchange between Chinese and Arab arts through exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art and traditional intangible cultural heritage items, as well as live cultural and artistic performances.
(Source: Dubai World Art Expo)
Editor: China Cultural Center in the UAE, China Cultural Center in Kuwait
Contributors: Wang Cheng, Wang Kun, Lü Jing, Yang Fei, Zhu Zihao, Yang Yuchun, Yuan Jiguang, Cao Jianying, Liang Yanling, Lan Jian
