Gulf Travel & Diplomacy: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Bahrain (plus Qatar, Kuwait and Oman) from July 5–10, then head to New York to launch India’s UN Security Council bid (2028–29) and to Brussels for India–EU talks—an important signal for regional cooperation amid ongoing US-Iran tensions. Air Connectivity: AJet has launched direct flights from Bahrain to Trabzon, operating two weekly services from July 3, giving Bahrain travellers a smoother route to Turkey’s Black Sea coast. Airport Numbers: Bahrain International Airport handled 59,580 flights in January and saw passenger traffic rebound in May after a March shutdown linked to regional attacks. Tourism Sector Watch: Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) shut down a tourism office for contract breaches, warning of tighter oversight to protect customers. Local Travel Disruption: A renewed crackdown is brewing over rental cars clogging neighbourhoods near Bahrain International Airport, with residents urging enforcement after complaints about parking agreements being ignored. Cultural Travel: Muharraq’s historic Christian villages of Dair and Samaheej are set for a bid for UNESCO World Heritage status. Religious Travel Restrictions: Reports say Bahraini citizens are being barred from Arbaeen pilgrimage travel to Iraq and Iran amid new restrictions. Heritage Protection: Signs banning feeding stray dogs at Bahrain’s historical sites are planned as authorities move to protect UNESCO-listed Dilmun Burial Mounds. Business & Travel Climate: A report says Bahrain’s banking sector led the GCC in monthly credit growth and profit margins in Q1 2026.