H.E. Fatima Jaafar Al Sairafi
Minister of Tourism
- Company:
- Ministry of Tourism
- Country:
- Bahrain
- Biography:
- Mrs. Al Sairafi currently serves as Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain. She also serves as Chairperson of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and is a member of the Higher Authority for Hawar Islands Development as well as Bahrainouna, the follow-up committee for the implementation of the national plan to reinforce the values of nationalism. In her capacity as Chairperson of BTEA, she oversees two key institutions in Bahrain’s tourism sector: Exhibition World Bahrain and VATEL Hotel & Tourism Business School.
Prior to her ministerial appointment, Mrs. Al Sairafi served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority. Before joining BTEA, she was part of the founding team of the National Communication Center (NCC), where she held the positions of Director of Strategic Planning and Director of Communication and Media Relations. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Al Sairafi headed the Government Communication Department at the Ministry of Information Affairs.
Before entering public service, Mrs. Al Sairafi built her professional experience in the banking and financial sector, working in private equity and investment portfolio management at Ibdaar Bank and The Family Office in Bahrain, as well as Wells Fargo in the United States of America.
Mrs. Al Sairafi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing, from the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom; a Master of Business Administration, with concentrations in Marketing and Managing Change, from DePaul University in the United States of America; an Executive Business Fellowship Program Certificate from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the United States of America; and a specialized certificate in Diplomatic Studies from the Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies.
Notable Contributions
Tourism Strategy Delivery & Record-Breaking Growth
Successfully launched the Tourism Strategy 2022–2026 for the Kingdom of Bahrain as part of the government’s post-COVID economic recovery plan. Through strong public–private partnerships, Mrs. Al Sairafi played a pivotal role in exceeding key national targets ahead of schedule. Bahrain welcomed 14.9 million visitors in 2024, surpassing the 2026 target of 14.1 million two years early. By the end of 2025, visitor numbers reached 15.2 million. Tourism revenue also exceeded expectations, reaching BHD 2 billion in 2025, achieving the 2026 target ahead of time.
Establishing Bahrain as a Regional MICE Hub
Led the launch of one of the region’s largest exhibition and convention centres, Exhibition World Bahrain, in November 2022—positioning Bahrain as a leading MICE destination in the Middle East. Since its opening, the venue has earned multiple prestigious accolades, including:
• World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023 – World Travel Awards
• World’s Best MICE Event Venue 2025 – World Travel Awards
• Bahrain’s Best Convention Centre 2025 – World Travel Awards
Flagship Tourism Campaign – “Ayad Al Bahrain”
Launched Bahrain’s first government-led national tourism campaign, “Ayad Al Bahrain,” in 2022. The campaign has since become a flagship annual initiative and a defining feature of Bahrain’s tourism calendar. What began as a domestic campaign has evolved into a regionally recognized platform, attracting visitors from across the region and contributing to one of the highest tourism revenue periods of the year.
Speaker on
Official Congress Opening
Congress Session
11/03/2026
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09:20 - 09:40
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EWB - Grand Hall Sections DE