Why do visitors from nearby Gulf countries travel to Bahrain?

Visitors from nearby Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, frequently travel to Bahrain primarily to experience its more liberal and cosmopolitan society.12

While Bahrain remains an Arab-Islamic country with conservative roots, its history as an island nation has fostered a more ethnically and religiously diverse population compared to its more insular neighbors. This openness is reflected in social customs that are notably more moderate and relaxed. Consequently, many visitors—who make up the largest segment of Bahrain’s tourism sector—are drawn to the capital city of Manama, where they often spend weekends enjoying the city's restaurants and bars.312