Taking a bold initiative to promote the Kingdom's tourism, the private sector will organise a Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE '05) on May 9-11 at the Gulf International Convention Centre.
The Ministry of Information, Bahrain Hotels Company, Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Duty Free, Bahrain Airport Services and Al Ayam newspaper are doing their bit to make the event a success.
"The private sector's contribution is important to promote tourism and boost the national economy," the Information Undersecretary, Mahmood Al Mahmood, said yesterday.
"The ministry and Tourism Affairs are always at hand to assist in whatever way they can but it is the private sector which has to take the initiative," Al Mahmood said, giving a Press conference on the three-day expo initiated by Sunshine Tours, a subsidiary of the Unitag Group.
Assistant Undersecretary for Tourism Affairs Mubarak Al Atwi, Unitag chairman and CEO Jamil Amin Wafa, Sunshine chief executive Hisham Al Baradie, Reflections Events and Exhibitions Management managing director Dr Ghassan Farija, Bahrain Hotels Company CEO Mohammed Buzizi and other officials were present.
Al Mahmood said the ministry would support such events by patronising them and setting up of the infrastructure and in other ways. "Statistics from the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence show that more than five million people visited the Kingdom last year. About 3.5 million were tourists and the number can go up significantly. The private sector must come up with strategic plans. The private sector can make it happen by coming up with strategies to attract more visitors and promote tourism," he said citing the Unitag initiative.
"The expo will set the ball rolling. Events like this will help promote Bahrain as a tourism centre because they increase conference and exhibition-related tourism and are bound to receive government support. We are keen to support all such events that will develop any sector of the ministry and the Kingdom. The ministry will support the expo through advertising and media campaigns," he said.
"The expo is part of our marketing strategy for the tourism industry and we are looking forward to seeing more such initiatives from the private sector," he said, adding that the ministry would always support events related to its portfolio, including cultural activities, to promote tourism.
Wafa said the exhibition was prompted by Sunshine Tours' belief in the important role the tourism industry plays in revitalising the economy. Specialised international tourism conferences and exhibitions complement the Kingdom's goals to support the tourism sector and make the Kingdom one of the most visited in the Middle East.
"It is the first time we are organising such a campaign, and we want to capitalise on the large number of professionals in Dubai because it will be difficult for us to invite participants to come from Britain and other countries. As for the future, we are determined to put Bahrain on the world map," he said. Buzizi affirmed that the Gulf Hotel would provide all facilities to make the event a success.
Sunshine Tours general manager Abraham John said the event, close on the heels of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in May, would see a significant turnout. "We are trying to get people from Dubai to visit Bahrain for the event, taking a detour from Dubai. Half the exhibition space has been booked and the rest will be booked soon in view of the inquiries that we are receiving." He said 20 countries, including Australia, Germany and other European and Middle East countries, had confirmed participation in the expo.
Gulf Air's manager, destination and leisure marketing, Mark Senior, said the official carrier for the expo would offer special fares. "We are keen to offer competitive fares from Dubai to those wishing to travel to the Kingdom from the ATM. "The airline sees the event as an opportunity to get closer to the consumer and learn more about them." Al Baradie said that a host of regional and international companies and committees will take part in event to be managed by Reflections.
© Bahrain Tribune 2005
