The UNESCO Chair for World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Management in the Arab Region (WH-STAR) successfully organized its first annual regional excursion in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This initiative reflects the Chair’s commitment to raising awareness among youth across the Arab States about World Heritage and sustainable development, while promoting South–South collaboration and an interdisciplinary approach to heritage and tourism management.
This year’s delegation included 10 students from diverse disciplines including urban planning, architecture, computer science, engineering, and international business, alongside representatives from governmental heritage and tourism authorities.
The two-day program immersed participants in Bahrain’s cultural landscape. The first day explored the nation’s historic pearling heritage, with visits to Danat (the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones), the Bahrain National Museum, and the UNESCO-listed Pearling Path, offering insights into heritage interpretation, urban regeneration, and community engagement.
On the second day, participants visited the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, where they learned about the cultural initiatives led by H.E. Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa, the Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, followed by explorations of Bahrain Fort and its museum, another World Heritage site. The day concluded with a musical evening at the Mohammed Bin Faris House, celebrating Bahrain’s living heritage.
The UNESCO Chair WH-STAR extends its sincere appreciation to all partners and contributors who made this experience possible including H.E. Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa, Ms. Izmeralda Kabbani, Ms. Noora Jamsheer, Dr. Salman Al Mahari and his team at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, as well as Mathias Tourism for their professional support.
The Chair looks forward to continuing this initiative and welcomes suggestions for future excursion destinations.
