25 April 2004
There is a great need to build a very strong relationship between the travel and tourism industry on the one side and the airlines on the other, a senior official has said.
Chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) Nader Bader, said this should be one of the major objectives if one is serious about promoting tourism in Bahrain.
Bader was speaking during a dinner reception organised by BAR to honour one of its longest-serving members, Ibrahim Amin.
Amin, at the helm of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines affairs in Bahrain for the last 30 years, retires in October after having spent 40 years with the airline.
The reception, held at the Awal Ballroom of the Gulf Hotel, was also an opportunity for all of Bahrain’s airline managers, representatives of the travel trade and the media to get together.
Richard Hirsch, the outgoing country commercial manager of British Airways, and Kamal Rashid, of Lufthansa German Airlines, who have left Bahrain to take up assignments elsewhere, were also feted in absentia, as was Yunus Alibux of Air France, who was present on the occasion.
“One of the main objectives of the BAR is to build relationships and boost tourism with all players of the travel and tourism industry,” said Bader. “This is an Association that represents, promotes and protects the common interests of all its members, though it is by no means limited to such activities.”
He said BAR in Bahrain was established in 1972. “Since then, it has been able to achieve substantial progress in many areas.”
He said the travel and tourism industry is one of the well-established markets in Bahrain and their aim was to build a travel market that is more stable and more profitable.
“The main objective, therefore, is to build relationships and boost tourism with all players of the travel and tourism industry,” said Bader. “Another issue is to get the Civil Aviation Department more involved with us. We can jointly contribute to achieve this as we have done so in the successful hosting of the Formula One event, which proved Bahrain’s potential as an in-bound tourist destination.”
He said as associates in the travel industry, the airlines’ interests were co-related and could largely be achieved by supporting each other. “We should, therefore, collectively work on enhancing this sector.”
He said at the BAR meetings, they have had comprehensive agendas discussing mutual interests and they have been able to achieve a regularised approach towards addressing common issues.
“Another achievement is sharing of knowledge, especially with our associates such as representatives from the Association of Bahrain Tour and Travel Agents (Abtta), the hotel industry and tourism affairs, thus helping us to gain a better understanding of relative aspects pertaining to our industry,” he said.
The BAR Chairman said that working groups have been formed within the BAR and these were responsible for various tasks to keep up with the changing trends in the airline industry as well as explore the possibilities of introducing new ideas such as the passenger protection plan, identity cards for travel agents, achieving stability and a more-controlled market.
Bader thanked those attending for their support and said a few distinguished veterans had contributed substantially towards the growth of the BAR. “One of them is Ibrahim Amin, who we all know has contributed a lot over the last 40 years, 30 of those in Bahrain.”
He said the change in the airline industry does not stop at market trends but includes the airline representatives as well, compelling them to bid farewell to friends every now and then. “Such is the dynamism of our industry that it also benefits from the variety of ideas presented by those professionals.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Hotels Company, Mohammed Buzizi, who was present on the occasion, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the travel and tourism industry in the Kingdom.
Buzizi also congratulated Amin on his achievements and said though it was sad to see him leave, veterans like the KLM stalwart were hard to stay away from.
There is a great need to build a very strong relationship between the travel and tourism industry on the one side and the airlines on the other, a senior official has said.
Chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) Nader Bader, said this should be one of the major objectives if one is serious about promoting tourism in Bahrain.
Bader was speaking during a dinner reception organised by BAR to honour one of its longest-serving members, Ibrahim Amin.
Amin, at the helm of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines affairs in Bahrain for the last 30 years, retires in October after having spent 40 years with the airline.
The reception, held at the Awal Ballroom of the Gulf Hotel, was also an opportunity for all of Bahrain’s airline managers, representatives of the travel trade and the media to get together.
Richard Hirsch, the outgoing country commercial manager of British Airways, and Kamal Rashid, of Lufthansa German Airlines, who have left Bahrain to take up assignments elsewhere, were also feted in absentia, as was Yunus Alibux of Air France, who was present on the occasion.
“One of the main objectives of the BAR is to build relationships and boost tourism with all players of the travel and tourism industry,” said Bader. “This is an Association that represents, promotes and protects the common interests of all its members, though it is by no means limited to such activities.”
He said BAR in Bahrain was established in 1972. “Since then, it has been able to achieve substantial progress in many areas.”
He said the travel and tourism industry is one of the well-established markets in Bahrain and their aim was to build a travel market that is more stable and more profitable.
“The main objective, therefore, is to build relationships and boost tourism with all players of the travel and tourism industry,” said Bader. “Another issue is to get the Civil Aviation Department more involved with us. We can jointly contribute to achieve this as we have done so in the successful hosting of the Formula One event, which proved Bahrain’s potential as an in-bound tourist destination.”
He said as associates in the travel industry, the airlines’ interests were co-related and could largely be achieved by supporting each other. “We should, therefore, collectively work on enhancing this sector.”
He said at the BAR meetings, they have had comprehensive agendas discussing mutual interests and they have been able to achieve a regularised approach towards addressing common issues.
“Another achievement is sharing of knowledge, especially with our associates such as representatives from the Association of Bahrain Tour and Travel Agents (Abtta), the hotel industry and tourism affairs, thus helping us to gain a better understanding of relative aspects pertaining to our industry,” he said.
The BAR Chairman said that working groups have been formed within the BAR and these were responsible for various tasks to keep up with the changing trends in the airline industry as well as explore the possibilities of introducing new ideas such as the passenger protection plan, identity cards for travel agents, achieving stability and a more-controlled market.
Bader thanked those attending for their support and said a few distinguished veterans had contributed substantially towards the growth of the BAR. “One of them is Ibrahim Amin, who we all know has contributed a lot over the last 40 years, 30 of those in Bahrain.”
He said the change in the airline industry does not stop at market trends but includes the airline representatives as well, compelling them to bid farewell to friends every now and then. “Such is the dynamism of our industry that it also benefits from the variety of ideas presented by those professionals.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Hotels Company, Mohammed Buzizi, who was present on the occasion, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the travel and tourism industry in the Kingdom.
Buzizi also congratulated Amin on his achievements and said though it was sad to see him leave, veterans like the KLM stalwart were hard to stay away from.
Mandeep Singh
© Bahrain Tribune 2004
