
DANAT Showcases Bahrain's Timeless Pearl Heritage at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Through its dedicated stand, DANAT showcased the Kingdom's deep-rooted history in pearls—traditions that are inseparable from Bahrain's national identity. A key highlight was the live demonstration of the traditional oyster shucking, which drew significant interest from attendees of various nationalities. Visitors gained an immersive insight into the intricate craftsmanship that historically underpinned Bahrain's maritime economy, highlighting the lasting beauty and cultural authenticity of its traditional practices.
Commenting on DANAT's participation, CEO Mrs. Noora Jamsheer stated: 'We are honoured to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain and its pearl heritage at one of the region's most distinguished and internationally recognised travel and tourism exhibitions. The Arabian Travel Market provides an exceptional platform to convey the richness of Bahrain's cultural traditions—particularly those rooted in natural pearls and fine jewellery—firmly anchoring them within the narrative of national tourism.'
'Our participation in international platforms of this calibre contributes meaningfully to advancing Bahrain's position as a distinguished destination for heritage tourism. At DANAT, we play an active role in preserving and showcasing the Kingdom's cultural wealth, particularly its renowned pearling legacy.' Mrs. Jamsheer said, 'The strong interest and engagement witnessed at our pavilion reflected widespread appreciation for the educational insights and live demonstrations delivered by our team. In parallel, we engaged in constructive dialogue with travel and tourism stakeholders to explore prospective partnerships that support the growth of heritage-oriented tourism experiences.'
Mrs. Jamsheer further noted that this initiative aligns with DANAT's central role in advancing the national strategy to revitalise the pearl industry. It also reflects the Institute's broader objective of reinforcing Bahrain's global status as a hub for natural pearls and a key player in heritage tourism.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Tribune
19-06-2025
- Daily Tribune
DANAT Launches Bahrain's First Gem Membership
TDT | Manama Bahrain's world-renowned gem institute has introduced a new membership initiative that offers structured, tier-based access to premium services in pearls, gemstones, and fine jewellery - positioning the Kingdom as a regional leader in gemmological innovation. The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) this week announced the launch of 'DANATi', a customer-focused membership programme designed to enhance the user experience while broadening engagement with the Institute's expertise, certifications, and training opportunities. Tailored membership access The DANATi programme is structured into three tiers - Silver, Gold, and Platinum - offering clients increasing levels of service, priority handling, and personalised access to educational opportunities and gemmological privileges. These include faster laboratory services and exclusive content designed for industry professionals and collectors alike. The initiative marks DANAT's shift toward experience-driven services and aims to create deeper, long-term relationships with both corporate and individual clients in the jewellery sector. Advancing sector services Mrs. Noora Jamsheer, Chief Executive Officer of DANAT, said the programme reflects DANAT's goal of expanding value and professional access in the gem sector. 'DANATi is not simply a rewards programme - it represents a strategic avenue for individuals seeking to develop their expertise and advance their standing in the specialised field of pearls and gemstones,' she said. The launch comes in response to the evolving needs of DANAT's global clientele, with the programme designed to support both education and trust in gem verification services. Preserving heritage, enabling growth Established in 2017 under the aegis of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, DANAT operates as a subsidiary of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. It plays a central role in protecting Bahrain's pearling legacy while delivering globally recognised certification, scientific research, and professional development in the gem industry. Through DANATi, the Kingdom is extending its leadership in natural pearl and gemstone expertise with a personalised, forward-looking service platform tailored for today's global market.


Biz Bahrain
09-06-2025
- Biz Bahrain
Tourism spending in the Middle East is projected to reach $350bln by 2030, according to a new travel industry report
A new report compiled by Tourism Economics on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) predicts that by 2030, total tourism spend in the Middle East will be 50% higher than in 2024, generating expenditure of nearly US$350 billion. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 reveals insights into the trends and transformations redefining the travel sector in the Middle East and worldwide, including the surge of business travel, the growth of the luxury segment, and the boom in regional sports tourism. The report highlights exceptional growth in Middle East travel spending, projected to exceed 2019 levels by 54% this year and anticipates an annual growth rate of over 7% from 2025 to 2030. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: 'The report's findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7% through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum.' Underscoring the Middle East's strong position in global tourism, inbound travel from outside the region is set to grow by 13% annually up to 2030 and outbound business travel forecast to surge at 9% per year. European source markets make up 50% of all leisure travel to the Middle East, with India and the United Kingdom the top two inbound international leisure source markets. China is also a critical market, ranking third by value with leisure spend expected to increase by 130% by 2030. Furthermore, tourism nights by visitors from Asia Pacific and Africa, are expected to increase by over 100% between now and 2030. For outbound travel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt dominate regional flows, while Thailand and the United Kingdom lead as preferred long-haul destinations. The four largest airlines in the region – Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia – have placed nearly 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, representing major expansions to their existing fleets. This significant investment underscores the region's strategic focus on becoming a global aviation hub and meeting rising passenger demand over the coming decade. The Middle East's rise as a global hub for business events is another key highlight of the report, which states that spending on Middle East business travel will grow 1.5 times faster than the global average through to 2030. The region's strategic location at the centre of Asia, Africa, and Europe supports business and leisure travel, with the latter on a particularly strong trajectory for growth. The sector plays a vital role in developing the region's reputation for hosting major events. It is expected to experience the second-fastest rate of business travel growth among all global regions, underscoring the increased potential for combining business and leisure travel, or 'bleisure'. Curtis commented: 'At ATM 2025, we recognised the industry's hunger for innovation in travel technology as well as the rising demand for business travel across the region. In response, we launched two dynamic new zones, IBTM@ATM and the Innovation Zone, designed to empower our growing audience to shape the future of travel with the speed and scale our exciting industry demands.' The region is also witnessing unprecedented growth in luxury and lifestyle tourism, attracting a new generation of high-net-worth travellers, drawn to exceptional Middle East hospitality, curated experiences and premium cultural events. According to the report global spending on luxury leisure hospitality is expected to continue growing briskly reaching over US$390 billion by 2028. 'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more on travel overall, nearly 60% habitually spending on luxury experiences while travelling compared to under 40% among travellers who favour other destinations,' added Curtis. Of the more than 170 luxury hotel properties in the Middle East, nearly 100 are situated Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with 22 currently in development. With several luxury properties in the pipeline among Saudi Arabia's Giga projects, the region will continue to serve as a preferred destination for luxury and leisure travellers. Following in the footsteps of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and Dubai Expo 2020, the Middle East region has a proven track record for successfully hosting high-profile entertainment and sports events. According to the ATM Travel Trends report, the strong appetite for sports tourism in the region will lead to a potential growth rate of 63% in the coming years, with the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia set to continue this momentum. According to the report, golf, motorsports, football, cycling, and esports are all benefiting from heightened visibility and investment in the region. This surge in sporting and entertainment events is significantly boosting the travel industry, driving increased demand for hotel stays, flights, and related services, creating a ripple effect that supports broader tourism growth. ATM is the leading international travel and tourism event held annually in Dubai. It plays a vital role in shaping the future of global travel. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the 2025 edition welcomed over 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries, achieving year-on-year growth of 16%. The next edition will take place from 4-7 May 2026. To view the report, please click here.


Trade Arabia
04-06-2025
- Trade Arabia
Middle East tourism spend to jump 50% to $350bn by 2030
The total tourism spend in the Middle East by 2030 will be 50% higher than in 2024, generating expenditure of nearly $350 billion, according to A new report compiled by Tourism Economics on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 reveals insights into the trends and transformations redefining the travel sector in the Middle East and worldwide, including the surge of business travel, the growth of the luxury segment, and the boom in regional sports tourism. The report highlights exceptional growth in Middle East travel spending, projected to exceed 2019 levels by 54% this year and anticipates an annual growth rate of over 7% from 2025 to 2030. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: 'The report's findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7 per cent through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum.' Underscoring the Middle East's strong position in global tourism, inbound travel from outside the region is set to grow by 13 per cent annually up to 2030 and outbound business travel forecast to surge at 9 per cent per year. European source markets make up 50% of all leisure travel to the Middle East, with India and the United Kingdom the top two inbound international leisure source markets. China is also a critical market, ranking third by value with leisure spend expected to increase by 130% by 2030. Furthermore, tourism nights by visitors from Asia Pacific and Africa, are expected to increase by over 100% between now and 2030. For outbound travel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt dominate regional flows, while Thailand and the United Kingdom lead as preferred long-haul destinations. The four largest airlines in the region – Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia – have placed nearly 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, representing major expansions to their existing fleets. This significant investment underscores the region's strategic focus on becoming a global aviation hub and meeting rising passenger demand over the coming decade. The Middle East's rise as a global hub for business events is another key highlight of the report, which states that spending on Middle East business travel will grow 1.5 times faster than the global average through to 2030. The region's strategic location at the centre of Asia, Africa, and Europe supports business and leisure travel, with the latter on a particularly strong trajectory for growth. The sector plays a vital role in developing the region's reputation for hosting major events. It is expected to experience the second-fastest rate of business travel growth among all global regions, underscoring the increased potential for combining business and leisure travel, or 'bleisure'. Curtis commented: 'At ATM 2025, we recognised the industry's hunger for innovation in travel technology as well as the rising demand for business travel across the region. In response, we launched two dynamic new zones, IBTM@ATM and the Innovation Zone, designed to empower our growing audience to shape the future of travel with the speed and scale our exciting industry demands.' The region is also witnessing unprecedented growth in luxury and lifestyle tourism, attracting a new generation of high-net-worth travellers, drawn to exceptional Middle East hospitality, curated experiences and premium cultural events. According to the report global spending on luxury leisure hospitality is expected to continue growing briskly reaching over US$390 billion by 2028. 'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more on travel overall, nearly 60% habitually spending on luxury experiences while travelling compared to under 40% among travellers who favour other destinations,' added Curtis. Of the more than 170 luxury hotel properties in the Middle East, nearly 100 are situated Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with 22 currently in development. With several luxury properties in the pipeline among Saudi Arabia's Giga projects, the region will continue to serve as a preferred destination for luxury and leisure travellers. Following in the footsteps of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and Dubai Expo 2020, the Middle East region has a proven track record for successfully hosting high-profile entertainment and sports events. According to the ATM Travel Trends report, the strong appetite for sports tourism in the region will lead to a potential growth rate of 63% in the coming years, with the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia set to continue this momentum. According to the report, golf, motorsports, football, cycling, and esports are all benefiting from heightened visibility and investment in the region. This surge in sporting and entertainment events is significantly boosting the travel industry, driving increased demand for hotel stays, flights, and related services, creating a ripple effect that supports broader tourism growth.