The anticipated reopening of King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain following Saudi government's announcement on lifting of travel restrictions from 31 March 2021 is expected to boost Bahrain's tourism and hospitality sector, according to the President of the Bahrain Economists Society.

Ali Al-Moulani said in a statement that the re-opening of the Causeway will add billions of dollars to Bahrain's economy as visitor levels return to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the statement, Saudi citizens would be permitted to travel via air, land and sea from 31 March following a drop in the number of COVID cases. A suspension on international flights will be lifted on the same date, according to the Saudi Ministry of the Interior.

Al-Moulani said: "Prior to the pandemic, Bahrain welcomed around 11 million tourists with over 88 percent coming through the Causeway. The number of visitors from Saudi Arabia is set to gradually go back to normal levels following this announcement and expected to add around $2.9 billion to Bahrain's economy this year based on average tourist spending in 2019."

Opened in 1986, the King Fahd Causeway is one of the busiest land border crossings in the Middle East with an estimated 390 million travelers having used the bridge to date.

(Writing by Syed Ameen Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

© ZAWYA 2021