Bahrain’s five-star hotels occupancy rate increased increase 14.4% to 87% this year from 72.6% last year during the Formula One period, said Bahrain’s assistant undersecretary for tourism affairs Sheikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa.

The four-star hotels occupancy rate increased from 70.7% in 2013 to 86% this year with an increase of 15.3%. The overall average rate of hotels occupancy was in the range of 15.4%. Sheikh Khalid said that the Ministry of Culture pays much heed to sports tourism and has allocated a full chapter for it during the celebration of Manama as the Capital of Arab Tourism.

The Ministry reiterates its keenness on this vital aspect of hosting several cultural activities and events that attract large numbers of visitors and residents, such as the annual Heritage Festival under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Book Fair, and the Spring of Culture Festival.