Explore Bahrain with Connections convenes 35 luxury travel buyers

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Luxury buyers visiting Bahrain

Europe’s top luxury travel buyers gathered in Manama for the fourth edition of Explore Bahrain with Connections, a three-day event combining targeted business meetings with immersive cultural experiences. The programme aimed to showcase Bahrain’s appeal in the luxury travel market.

Held from 7–10 February, the reimagined programme – previously known as Connections Luxury Bahrain – took place across several of the capital’s five-star hotels, including Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain and Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa.

Organised in partnership with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the event brought together 70 delegates from 10 nationalities, including 35 luxury travel designers and 35 of Bahrain’s leading hotels, resorts and experience providers. Delegates participated in 439 one-to-one meetings under the Connections Way format, which blends professional networking with shared experiences to encourage meaningful, long-term business relationships.

Seventy delegates attended the event

The cultural element of the programme offered 17 authentic experiences designed to showcase Bahraini heritage, from oyster shucking and pearl discovery to traditional basket weaving. Buyers also joined an exclusive tour of Unesco World Heritage site Qal’at Al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), recognised as the ancient harbour and capital of the Dilmun civilisation.

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Other highlights included tours of the Bahrain National Museum, which charts 6,000 years of the Kingdom’s history, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, and the Danat Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones. The programme also included tours of Raffles Bahrain and Four Seasons Bahrain Bay, and concluded with a closing reception at Sushisamba at Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour.

Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain, made an appearance at the event, underscoring government support for initiatives that promote tourism growth and industry collaboration.

Buyers visit Qal’at Al Bahrain

Hailing the event a success, Greg Reeves, Managing Director, Connections, said the momentum in Bahrain is undeniable, from Manama being named the World’s Leading Business Travel Destination to the Formula 1 Grand Prix attracting a record 105,000 attendees, providing opportunity for the luxury space.

“We believe there is huge potential here, and this aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s objectives to grow inbound tourism to 14.1 million visitors, with tourism set to contribute 11.4% to GDP by 2026. Explore Bahrain with Connections brings together the world’s leading luxury travel designers to discover first-hand why this ancient crossroads is becoming tomorrow’s must-visit destination.”

Explore bahrain with connections btea team

BTEA and Connections teams in Bahrain

A spokesperson for the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority added: “Bahrain is a destination shaped by culture, connectivity and contemporary experiences, and Explore Bahrain with Connections offers a powerful platform to share that story. Our continued collaboration with Connections allows travel designers to experience the Kingdom beyond the surface, fostering genuine understanding and long-term advocacy in our key source markets.

Connections will return to the GCC region with the second edition of Connection Luxury Middle East, taking place in Doha, Qatar, from 29 March to 1 April 2026.

For more information, visit www.connectionsluxury.com