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Bahrain: Free City Tour Launched for Gulf Air Transit Passengers

Transit passengers travelling through Bahrain International Airport (BIA) can experience the Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage first-hand while waiting for their connecting flights, Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company, and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) jointly announced.

From July 5, passengers with layovers ranging from five to 24 hours can avail of a free city tour, taking in Bahrain’s landmarks and historical hotspots.

The service is being offered jointly by Gulf Air, BAC, and BTEA, with transportation provided by Kanoo Travel.

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Hello Bahrain Free City Tour launched for Gulf Air transit passengers

Transit passengers travelling through Bahrain International Airport (BIA) are able to experience the Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage first-hand while waiting for their connecting flights, Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company, and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority jointly announced. Passengers with five to 24 hours of layovers can avail of a free city tour, taking in Bahrain’s landmarks and historical hotspots. The service is jointly offered by Gulf Air, BAC, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, with transportation provided by Kanoo Travel.

Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air Group Holding, added, “The Kingdom of Bahrain is not only an increasingly attractive destination for business and leisure travellers, but also a strategic gateway between East and West. Scores of visitors’ transit through BIA daily, with many not getting a chance to see the country beyond the confines of the airport. We hope the introduction of this new service will enhance the passenger experience, and give visitors a better understanding of all the remarkable attractions Bahrain has to offer.”

The three-hour tours are offered twice daily from 9 am-12 pm and 7 pm-10 pm. Advanced booking is required. To register or find out more about the offer, visit the Hello Bahrain Free City Tour pages, via the Gulf Air, BIA, and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority websites.

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Hello Bahrain – Free City Tour!

Bahrain, July 2023 : Discover Bahrain’s vibrant culture and rich history like never before with our exhilarating Free City Tour! Depart from the usual path during your layover at Bahrain International Airport and embark on an unforgettable adventure that showcases the very best of this captivating country. Our Free City Tour is thoughtfully crafted to maximize your time in Bahrain, welcoming transiting passengers with layovers of more than 5 hours and within 24 hours to reserve their spot and join this enriching journey. In collaboration with Gulf Air Group, Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Kanoo Travel Agency, this tour exemplifies our commitment to providing exceptional experiences to our valued visitors.

This extraordinary 3-hour tour invites you to immerse yourself in Bahrain’s cultural and historical treasures. Experience the vibrant energy of the Souq , where hidden gems, vibrant colors, and tantalizing scents await at every turn. Explore iconic landmarks that narrate the captivating story of Bahrain’s past, ranging from majestic historical sites to enlightening museums.

To secure your place on this captivating excursion, simply visit our website and reserve your spot on Bahrain’s Free City Tour. Unveil the hidden gems, indulge in the warmth of Bahraini hospitality, and create cherished memories that will endure a lifetime.

Author: Jaun Shahi

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Free city tour launched for Gulf Air transit passengers at Bahrain Airport

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Posted: 11 July 2023 | International Airport Review | No comments yet

Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company, and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority announced a free city tour for eligible transit passengers.

Free city tour launched for Gulf Air transit passengers

Transit passengers travelling through Bahrain International Airport (BIA) will be able to experience the Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage while waiting for their connecting flights. In an announcement made by Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company, and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority from 05 July 2023, passengers with layover ranging from five to 24 hours can avail of a free city tour, taking in Bahrain’s landmarks and historical hotspots.

The service is being offered jointly by Gulf Air, BAC, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, with transportation provided by Kanoo Travel. Dr. Nasser Qaedi, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority affirmed the full readiness of a dedicated team within the authority to activate this service in collaboration with all partners. Their goal is to ensure that beneficiaries receive an experience that surpasses their expectations, providing them with a distinguished tourism experience.

According to Dr. Qaedi, travellers passing through Bahrain Airport during their transit will have access to a comprehensive tourism programme tailored to the duration of their layover. This programme aims to optimise their time and leave them with lasting positive impressions of Bahrain’s tourism sector. It encompasses a wide range of offerings, including entertainment options, heritage sites, and major tourist attractions. Additionally, a reliable and secure tourist transportation service will be provided during these tours to encourage them to visit Bahrain again and explore the pleasant experiences it offers, which represents an important and innovative addition to the development of tourism services in Bahrain.

Gulf Air Group Holding Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Goh added: “The Kingdom of Bahrain is not only an increasingly attractive destination for business and leisure travellers, but also a strategic gateway between East and West. Scores of visitors’ transit through BIA daily, with many not getting a chance to see the country beyond the confines of the airport. We hope the introduction of this new service will enhance the passenger experience, give visitors a better understanding of all the remarkable attractions Bahrain has to offer”.

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Videh Kumar Jaipuriar has been nominated for his exemplary leadership in managing and navigating Delhi International Airport (DEL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. He led multiple initiatives to ensure business continuity at DEL, which included passenger safety and convenience, stakeholder management, cash conservation, adoption of new technologies, and care for environment and employee safety.

He proactively engaged with the government stakeholders and supported them in safeguarding aviation through strong confidence building measures for travellers, such as developing several indigenous technology solutions like air circulation with six changes per hour and a combination of UV and plasma disinfection systems to provide safest journey experience to their passengers. Under his leadership, DEL has been forefront of implementing safety measures which was later adopted across the country.

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Saggaf has protected the financial stability of his staff income, ensured valuable cost cutting management, shown excellent performance of crisis management, and exceptional negotiation skills shown with authority regarding agreement restructuring and receivable payments.

To handle the loss of Umrah traffic to the airport, Saggaf chose to attract new airlines, mainly LCCs, to use the terminal with attractive offers and more reliable services. He built a new strategy by diversifying the airport offers. He prepared the facilities by deploying new technology and working on enhancing passenger experience. Saggaf also initiated a capacity building programme for the airside team by drafting SOPS, training and coaching, as well as initiating dedicated workshops to discuss ideas and to deploy new initiatives.

Leaders show strength in difficult times, and this is exactly what Saggaf showed and why he deserves to be awarded as the Person of the year 2021.

Peter has been with the Sangster International Airport for over 25 years. 

He has experience in customer service, operations and now oversees the security function and is also the Chief Operations Officer. 

Peter has been instrumental in co-ordinating the preparation and implementation of a COVID-19 response plan for not just MBJ, but to guide the operation of all agencies operating on airport. The aim of this plan was to ensure a safe environment for staff and the travelling public; therefore, this plan was instrumental to establish consumer/travellers/public confidence and provided information and guidelines on the new protocols implemented at the airport.  

Peter is well known for his expertise in investigation and aviation security. His co-operation with law enforcement stakeholders has been unrelenting in assuring the security of the airport and stakeholders alike. 

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Robson Freitas has developed and led the BH Airport plan for the resumption of airport operations post-COVID-19, as well as being responsible for leading the group of Directors and Managers at the airport, defining the three main pillars of recovery: Health and Safety of People, Institutional and Integrated Communication and Institutional Partners. These central pillars include ensuring hygiene and health and social distances measures for passengers, users, and the airport community, in addition to participating in strategic committees involving the public sectors to comply with regulatory rules. Freitas developed the COVID guardians programme, who were responsible in monitoring and following up on the measures already implemented for COVID-19 and advising users, employees and other people on compliance with distancing, hygiene and health measures recommended by health authorities. He also developed a COVID booklet with information and guidance for the airport community regarding good hygiene and health practices and led the beginning of the publication of a monthly newsletter with passenger curve information, allowing the planning of reopening and rehiring by commercial stores. Freitas also supported the reduction of OPEX by planning the temporary closure of areas, toilets and equipment in common use and internalising some activities.

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As a result of the great work Prince has done to ensure COVID-19 best practices, Cairns Airport was one of the first Australian Airports to be awarded an ACI Global Health Accreditation.

Alicia also led the terminal optimisation project, which assessed and implemented terminal downscales due to the crisis. Significant savings (both financial and environmental) were achieved by reducing the operational footprint of the airport.

Whilst maintaining operations throughout the pandemic was a priority, Alicia ensured her team were kept well informed and engaged. Cairns Airport has a team of 33 volunteers which form part of Alicia’s wider team. To ensure they remained connected and cared for, Alicia and her team created care packages including home-made cakes and personally delivered to each of the volunteers’ houses in a COVIDSafe manner. Alicia demonstrated great leadership throughout the pandemic and continues to do so today. Her clear and transparent communication and collaboration with other Australian Airports and key agencies to ensure best practice and alignment contributed greatly to business continuity. Furthermore, all the above was managed whilst working remotely and juggling home schooling with her two young boys.

Balram Bheodari leads Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as North America’s most efficient airport, due to his vast knowledge of and astute attention to efficiency in aviation, which has allowed the airport to thrive in the most difficult of markets. Bheodari combines operational expertise, integrity, and selflessness to provide a quality of leadership throughout Atlanta Airport. He oversees all facets of airport governance, including operations and a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement programme, ATLNext, designed to pave the way for Atlanta’s growth over the next 20 years. During COVID-19, Bheodari developed a comprehensive resumption of operations playbook that served to support ATL’s recovery efforts. With guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid evolving health and safety guidelines, Bheodari steadfastly encouraged collaboration among stakeholders, team-building among aviation employees, and adaptability in uncertain times. Throughout the pandemic, he participated in daily calls with Airports Council International and other large-hub airports to share best practices as well as information from Washington, D.C. federal offices and the CDC.

He aimed to restore customer confidence and ensure the airport was a healthy facility using COVID-19 safe protocols. Since, the airport achieved Airport of the Year by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC).

During the height of the pandemic, Bheodari was the most ardent supporter of our mission-critical employees. Having worked his way up through the ranks, he fully appreciates the oftentimes thankless jobs these employees perform that keep the Airport safe and running optimally at all times. Morale never flagged because Bheodari made sure those employees felt valued through hazard pay, special meals, social media posts, intranet spotlight features, and other incentives.

His actions and his directives all reflect his commitment to the three key focus areas of our organisation’s strategic plan: people, purpose and performance.

Jonas Abrahamsson has shown the strength to steer the company towards its long-term sustainable goals, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Abrahamsson has ensured that Swedavia achieved its net zero target for all ten of the airports in 2020 and has continued to support strategic development and innovation to further the cause of sustainable air travel. During 2020, when passenger numbers where down over 90 per cent and a lot of investments were paused, he decided that investments in the company’s net zero target should proceed, allowing Swedavia to become the first net zero airport group by the end of 2020.

Chris Dinsdale has worked at Budapest Airport since 2015, originally as CFO until March 2021, where he was nominated for the position as CEO. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dinsdale, as CFO of the airport at the time, fought relentlessly to make sure that the company survived the crisis and worked with great commitment to secure the funding of the airport. For example, a voluntary salary cut for the executives and the founding of the Budapest Airport Foundation, which supports blue collar workers who lost their job during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After being nominated to CEO position in March 2021, Dinsdale continues to work closely with the executive team to create a clear COVID-19 recovery strategy for Budapest Airport. This will also mean that we come out stronger of the pandemic and have a clear focus. Dinsdale is an inspiring true leader who helped us all to cope with the very difficult times of the pandemic and I am convinced that he truly deserves this award.

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This tour is jointly organised by Gulf Air Group, Bahrain International Airport & Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Kanoo Travel Agency

Experience the vibrant culture and rich history of Bahrain with our Free City Tour, which takes you on an exciting detour from the airport. Discover the landmarks and sceneries of Bahrain, including the Souq, historical landmarks, and museums, as you stopover at the country's cultural and historical hotspots.

Website: https://www.gulfair.com/en/hello-bahrain?Read%20more

4 replies to this topic

Hello, I have question.

I have 16hrs layover between next flight from BAH and RUH.

If Im transiting in Bahrain , do I need a visa for Bahrain?

I cant find information about it.

If you want to take the free City Tour to kill a bit of time during your 16 hours layover then you could get the Free City Tour (pre-book via https://halabahrain.bh/tour ) ... you do not need to arrange a visa for this either.

If you wish to leave the airport independently and spend some time looking around Bahrain then depending on your nationality you can get a tourist visa on arrival - if you are German then you are eligible for a visa on arrival .... you can check out visa on arrival eligibility here https://www.evisa.gov.bh/list-of-onarrival-visa-country.html

I requested a tour for our 6h layover but since two weeks I didn’t receive a reply or confirmation of my request. Can I just go to the counter and expect a tour ?

Also, we are a group of 5 and I only filled out the form once. Do I need to submit a separate form per person?

#3 I've not done this free tour personally so cannot speak from experience; however, looking at the booking page on the website they do not say that they will send a confirmation to you but require that you confirm your tour at the desk in the airport an hour before the start of the tour. It also looks like you should complete a separate application for each person who wants to go on the tour as you must provide individual names and passport details for each guest.

I note that seats on each tour are limited so I would advise getting to the tour desk as soon as you can before the start time of the tour to confirm and secure seats!

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Hello Bahrain – Free City Tour!

Discover Bahrain’s vibrant culture and rich history like never before with our exhilarating Free City Tour! Depart from the usual path during your layover at Bahrain International Airport and embark on an unforgettable adventure that showcases the very best of this captivating country. Our Free City Tour is thoughtfully crafted to maximize your time in Bahrain, welcoming transiting passengers with layovers of more than 5 hours and within 24 hours to reserve their spot and join this enriching journey. In collaboration with Gulf Air Group, Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Kanoo Travel Agency, this tour exemplifies our commitment to providing exceptional experiences to our valued visitors.

This extraordinary 3-hour tour invites you to immerse yourself in Bahrain’s cultural and historical treasures. Experience the vibrant energy of the Souq, where hidden gems, vibrant colors, and tantalizing scents await at every turn. Explore iconic landmarks that narrate the captivating story of Bahrain’s past, ranging from majestic historical sites to enlightening museums.

To secure your place on this captivating excursion, simply visit our website and reserve your spot on Bahrain’s Free City Tour. Unveil the hidden gems, indulge in the warmth of Bahraini hospitality, and create cherished memories that will endure a lifetime.

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Free city tour launched for Gulf Air transit passengers at Bahrain International Airport

The three-hour tours are offered twice daily from 9am-12pm and 7-10pm.

MUHARRAQ, BAHRAIN – Transit passengers traveling through Bahrain International Airport (BIA) are able to experience the Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage first-hand while waiting for their connecting flights, Gulf Air , Bahrain Airport Company , and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority jointly announced. From 5th of July, passengers with layover ranging from five to 24 hours can avail of a free city tour, taking in Bahrain’s landmarks and historical hotspots. The service is being offered jointly by Gulf Air, BAC, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, with transportation provided by Kanoo Travel.

Dr. Nasser Qaedi , CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority affirmed the full readiness of a dedicated team within the authority to activate this service in collaboration with all partners. Their goal is to ensure that beneficiaries receive an experience that surpasses their expectations, providing them with a distinguished tourism experience.

According to Dr. Qaedi, travelers passing through Bahrain Airport during their transit will have access to a comprehensive tourism program tailored to the duration of their layover. This program aims to optimize their time and leave them with lasting positive impressions of Bahrain’s tourism sector. It encompasses a wide range of offerings, including entertainment options, heritage sites, and major tourist attractions. Additionally, a reliable and secure tourist transportation service will be provided during these tours to encourage them to visit Bahrain again and explore the pleasant experiences it offers, which represents an important and innovative addition to the development of tourism services in Bahrain.

Gulf Air Group Holding Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Goh added: “The Kingdom of Bahrain is not only an increasingly attractive destination for business and leisure travelers, but also a strategic gateway between East and West. Scores of visitors’ transit through BIA daily, with many not getting a chance to see the country beyond the confines of the airport. We hope the introduction of this new service will enhance the passenger experience, give visitors a better understanding of all the remarkable attractions Bahrain has to offer”.

The three-hour tours are offered twice daily from 9am-12pm and 7-10pm. Advanced booking is required.

Tatiana Rokou

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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Hello Bahrain – Free City Tour!

July 20, 2023

Discover Bahrain’s vibrant culture and rich history like never before with our exhilarating Free City Tour! Depart from the usual path during your layover at Bahrain International Airport and embark on an unforgettable adventure that showcases the very best of this captivating country. Our Free City Tour is thoughtfully crafted to maximize your time in Bahrain, welcoming transiting passengers with layovers of more than 5 hours and within 24 hours to reserve their spot and join this enriching journey. In collaboration with Gulf Air Group, Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Kanoo Travel Agency, this tour exemplifies our commitment to providing exceptional experiences to our valued visitors.

This extraordinary 3-hour tour invites you to immerse yourself in Bahrain’s cultural and historical treasures. Experience the vibrant energy of the Souq, where hidden gems, vibrant colors, and tantalizing scents await at every turn. Explore iconic landmarks that narrate the captivating story of Bahrain’s past, ranging from majestic historical sites to enlightening museums.

To secure your place on this captivating excursion, simply visit our website and reserve your spot on Bahrain’s Free City Tour. Unveil the hidden gems, indulge in the warmth of Bahraini hospitality, and create cherished memories that will endure a lifetime.

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This extraordinary 3-hour tour invites you to immerse yourself in Bahrain’s cultural and historical treasures. Experience the vibrant energy of the Souq, where hidden gems, vibrant colors, and tantalizing scents await at every turn. Explore iconic landmarks that narrate the captivating story of Bahrain’s past, ranging from majestic historical sites to enlightening museums.

To secure your place on this captivating excursion, simply visit our website and reserve your spot on Bahrain’s Free City Tour. Unveil the hidden gems, indulge in the warmth of Bahraini hospitality, and create cherished memories that will endure a lifetime.

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Hello Bahrain – Free City Tour!

Discover Bahrain’s vibrant culture and rich history like never before with our exhilarating Free City Tour! Depart from the usual path during your layover at Bahrain International Airport and embark on an unforgettable adventure that showcases the very best of this captivating country. Our Free City Tour is thoughtfully crafted to maximize your time in Bahrain, welcoming transiting passengers with layovers of more than 5 hours and within 24 hours to reserve their spot and join this enriching journey. In collaboration with Gulf Air Group, Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Kanoo Travel Agency, this tour exemplifies our commitment to providing exceptional experiences to our valued visitors.

This extraordinary 3-hour tour invites you to immerse yourself in Bahrain’s cultural and historical treasures. Experience the vibrant energy of the Souq, where hidden gems, vibrant colors, and tantalizing scents await at every turn. Explore iconic landmarks that narrate the captivating story of Bahrain’s past, ranging from majestic historical sites to enlightening museums.

To secure your place on this captivating excursion, simply visit our website and reserve your spot on Bahrain’s Free City Tour. Unveil the hidden gems, indulge in the warmth of Bahraini hospitality, and create cherished memories that will endure a lifetime.

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Bahrain Celebrates Its History as a Pearling Center

A new walking trail in Muharraq explains a legacy of the gem dating to the Bronze Age.

The Visitor and Experience Centre of the Pearling Path, designed by the Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati, was built in 2019 over a former warehouse, and visitors can still see the nearly century-old ruins of shops and work areas. Credit...

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By David Belcher

Photographs by Iwan Baan

Reporting from Muharraq, Bahrain

• May 16, 2024

Along the teeming narrow streets of this centuries-old trading port, and among the modern-day merchants of the old souk who have immigrated from across the Middle East, South Asia and beyond, an urban project is paying homage to 5,000 years of pearling history in Bahrain.

The newest part of the project is the Pearling Path , which opened in February. The urban trail can be followed as a free, self-guided tour that rolls its way through 3.5-kilometers, or just over two miles, of commercial and residential neighborhoods in Muharraq, a centuries-old city across the water from the modern capital, Manama.

The trail is part of the kingdom’s efforts to celebrate the rich history of this nation of small islands, which since the Bronze Age has harvested what many consider to be the world’s finest natural pearls. Oil has dominated here since it was discovered in the early 1930s but, as those reserves are being depleted, the country is trying to widen its focus to include the history of pearling.

Since the era of India’s bejeweled maharajahs in the 1800s to Jacques Cartier’s search for the world’s perfect pearl a century ago, Bahrain has been a pearl-lovers paradise. The ancient Dilmun civilization flourished here as early as 3000 B.C., conducting trade in pearls and date syrup.

The archipelago has natural underground freshwater springs that feed the land — which has nurtured farming for centuries in the unforgiving Gulf heat — and mix with the Persian Gulf saltwater, creating conditions considered ideal for nurturing the perfect pearl. Natural pearls, which oysters form inside them as a defense against irritants that invade its shell, often have irregularities in shape and color.

Walkers can follow the path by checking maps posted on billboards at the 17 stopping points in small public squares with seating shaded by flame trees. Lamps with pearl-shaped lightbulbs serve as signposts. Flecks of oyster shell known as mother-of-pearl embedded in the benches and the lampposts catch the sunlight.

On a recent spring day, with the Gulf temperatures still manageable, children played ball and old men gathered on benches in one of several small parks that dot the Pearling Path. Two representatives of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities accompanied this reporter along the route, now part of the Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy UNESCO World Heritage Site . The cost of the project, financed by the government and a loan from the Islamic Development Bank, as well as private and corporate donations, was not publicly disclosed.

“The Pearling Path is a project that really celebrates not just the pearling history of Bahrain but the architecture heritage of the country,” said Sheikh Khalifa Ahmed Al-Khalifa, president of the culture authority. “It’s a testament to the pearling industry, and it was important for us to demonstrate that pearling has never ceased to exist in Bahrain.”

The tour meanders through the highs and lows of Muharraq’s history. The pearl industry collapsed almost overnight in the early 1930s, largely because of three factors: the creation by the Japanese of perfectly round and less expensive cultured pearls made in labs with human intervention; the global financial crisis of 1929; and the discovery of oil in Bahrain in 1932. But after decades of wealth generated by the oil boom, the government is moving to celebrate its ancient roots.

“In this region, there has been a renewed interest in reconnecting with a natural identity with cultural heritage, so pearls have come back to the forefront,” said Noura Al-Sayeh, the adviser for heritage projects for the cultural authority. “Until 10 or 15 years ago, most pearl merchants were still dealing with the pearls they had amassed during the 1930s. The demand was no longer there. But it is now.”

That sense of a rich past is evident on the trail. We stepped first into the mostly limestone former home of a wealthy merchant family, the Siyadis, and its majlis, or central meeting room. Much of the house dates to the 1850s, and elaborate flourishes inside and outside have been restored, such as stained glass and etchings on the edifice, which displayed the family’s wealth. The ground-level rooms of the home now exhibit some of Bahrain’s oldest jewelry, including pearls from 2000 B.C. that were uncovered from archaeological digs over the past few decades (there is a small admission price for exhibitions). Some of the tiny pearls almost look shriveled and, as Ms. Al-Sayeh described, “Flintstoney.”

One room contains a glass case of Cartier Art Deco jewelry from the 1920s (Jacques Cartier came to Bahrain in 1912, and a picture of him with four local merchants hangs nearby). Another glass case contains a scarf made of hundreds of tiny pearls, and a necklace of yellowish pearls that Ms. Al-Sayeh said was among the finest examples anywhere of matching pearls.

“We have an agreement with Cartier to have a rotating exhibition each year,” Ms. Al-Sayeh added. “And we have several pieces on loan from Mattar Jewelers , a seventh-generation family of pearl merchants in Bahrain, as well as Al Mahmood Pearls , another local merchant.”

As the Muslim call to prayer filled the air in the late afternoon, the path took us past dozens of small shops in the souk, from food stalls to jewelers to clothing stores, many catering to Bahrain’s large immigrant population.

These are juxtaposed by four almost-Brutalist gray parking structures, designed as part of the Pearling Path project, by the Swiss architect Christian Kerez, sprinkled throughout the old city like pieces of urban artwork.

“The biggest challenge in any sort of urban setting is parking garages,” Sheikh Khalifa said. “We want to balance their contemporary design with the surrounding historic design. We believe that any city is a living reflection of architecture, both old and new.”

Another structure, the dramatic visitors center, was designed by the Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati , with a soaring ceiling and pentagonal skylights notched randomly to allow in flecks of sunlight. It was built in 2019 over a former warehouse where the pearling boats would return with their bounty and visitors can still see the nearly century-old ruins of shops and work areas.

“This ceiling creates this very large room canopy which bridges the more contemporary side of Muharraq to the heart of the souk, creating this very large, shaded gathering space,” Ms. Al-Sayeh said. “For us, it was important to preserve these opened and unplanned public spaces in the city. We have music festivals here, and events during Ramadan and so on.”

Other stops on the path include a small restored mosque, the palm-lined courtyard of what had been a wealthy boat merchant’s home and the more modest home of a folk-medicine doctor who used medicinal herbs to treat eye, skin and lung infections among divers, as well as the homes of a pearl diver and the captain of a pearling boat. Another option for the truly pearl obsessed is a pearl-diving excursion, after which participants can keep any pearls they find, Sheikh Khalifa said.

But the Pearling Path offers something more than just the precious gem that has been sought for millenniums.

“Our first motivation is to preserve and conserve both our oyster beds, as well as all of these historic buildings,” Sheikh Khalifa said. “You don’t have to be a pearl diver to experience pearling. You can do it through the many stories that are being told every day on this path through our rich pearling history.”

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