Visitors to the Bahrain Festival 2004, scheduled to open on Thursday, will be able to have visas on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport, the General Manager of the Festival, Abdullah Al Anazi, announced ysterday. "The visa on arrival will be given immediately to the visitors provided they had made their arrangements through the travel operators and hotels. All nationalities except the Israeli are welcome to Bahrain for this festival and we are ready to take care of them," he said.
It was announced at the Press conference at Elite Hotel in Sanabis, held in the presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, Mahmood Yousif Al Mahmood, that the festival that will continue till September 4. "It is supported by the ministry, under the directives of the Minister of Information, Nabeel bin Yacoub Al Hamer. We are expecting support from other organisations concerned that will lead to the success of the event," said Al Mahmood.
"We cannot ignore private sector if they are having any kind of activities in Bahrain. As a ministry we have to support and encourage them to hold events that will boost the tourism industry. I believe this festival is not just a step ahead for the present event but also for all such future festivals. In order to prepare for the future we have to make a move today."
Al Mahmood said: "Some of the hotels - Commodore, Baisan, Phoenicia, Concord among others - will offer 15 per cent discount to the visitors. Some of the hotels are offering free cakes for couples who are planning their wedding during the festival season. Meanwhile, a committee is being formed to prepare a team and make arrangements to welcome the visitors to the festival by presenting them flowers and other surprises."
Among the new management members of the festival that were present at the conference were Marketing Manager Murhaf Al Sahan; Media Consultant Majid Al Tahani; Exhibition General Coordinator Osamah Rashad and Finance Manager, Mohammed Ebrahim.
The festival management also briefed the conference about the programmes of the festival. "Sixty to 80 per cent of the festival preparations are complete and the festival will open on Thursday with lots of entertainment for families and youngsters," said Ebrahim.
Rashad said that the Egyptian group called Spicy Baby had also confirmed its participation in the festival. The Egyptian and Lebanese singers due in Bahrain for the festival will perform in various hotels.
Travel agents and hoteliers, referring to the late announcement of the event said the management could have informed them in advance so they could offer special packages to the visitors.
The Chairman of Al Arabia Travel and Tours, Safari Hotel and Orabi Group, Mohammed Al Mutawa said: "Any information prior to the main event would have helped us to organise our packages for the visitors well and in coordination with the festival management, the tour operators and hoteliers.
"If the festival management was sure to hold the event then they should have started the preparations three to four months in advance," he said.
© Bahrain Tribune 2004
