Bahrain is gearing up for the impact Middle East's first ever Grand Prix. Maeve Kelynack Skinner reports
The Kingdom of Bahrain is racing at full throttle towards the countdown on 04/04/04 when the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix makes its desert debut. The three-day event (2-4 April) is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors, plus 350 million television viewers to witness the F1 teams test their mettle on the world's first ever desert circuit.
In September 2002, the Kingdom of Bahrain fought off stiff regional competition to clinch a six-year contract to host the Middle East's first FIA Formula 1 World Championship which places Bahrain firmly on the international arena of top sporting events. The $150 million state-of-the-art racing circuit will be the world's most modern and technologically advanced, offering a unique and challenging track on desert terrain.
Winning the Formula One contract is only the tip of a massive economic injection for the Kingdom, as the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) will provide a long term profitable business enterprise in terms of tourism and in attracting major automotive companies to display their products and to test the latest models on its circuit.
"The whole Formula One project is a highly professional event which requires precision management and the ability to organise such an enormous international event will ultimately be good for the kingdom of Bahrain and a huge educational experience for our people," said BIC chairman, Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
The surprise resignation of Austrian Hans Geist after completing just five months of a three-year contract is a hot topic but according to BIC officials, Geist will continue to advise as a consultant.
Tilke & Partners of Germany, the renowned international racing circuit architects, have created a challenging and adventurous track which combines flat stretches with hilly canyons and gullies, around a central oasis. The 1.7-sq-km circuit - including the 5.4km Grand Prix race track - comprises five individual tracks, four of which can be used simultaneously.
"This circuit is considered unique because the track is larger and more challenging than many others, in spite of Bahrain's small size," said Abdulrahman Qarata, hotel and transport manager, BIC.
Two thousand people are working in 10 hour shifts around the clock, seven days a week to ensure that the circuit is completed by the deadline on 7 March, 2004. The 169ha site in the south west of Bahrain, is located between the University and Al Areen Wildlife Park. The overall complex includes a landmark VIP viewing tower, twenty individual 'houses' to accommodate the drivers, an FIA control room, hospitality suites, a clubhouse, a sponsors' complex, media and medical quarters, grandstands, spectator areas and four helipads.
Room for more?
With a total of 15,000 hotel rooms and apartments, sceptics may be wondering how Bahrain will be able to accommodate the thousands of fans who are expected to descend on the Kingdom to watch the event but according to BIC organisers, few Grand Prix host countries have sufficient beds to accommodate the massive influx of visitors, yet the event still attracts exceptionally large numbers of people.
Accommodation has already been organised in Bahrain's hotel and apartment complexes for the 'Formula One Family' which consists of approximately five thousand people, including teams, sponsors, manufacturers, media and medical personnel. Some hotels have retained 25 per cent of rooms to offer an inclusive six-night package for visiting fans who can expect to pay over the odds for a room.
As title sponsor, Gulf Air will operate extra shuttle flights to Bahrain from its owner states (Abu Dhabi and Oman) and other GCC states with a choice of packages via Gulf Air Holidays. Options include a regional package inclusive of return flights, accommodation, visas, airport and circuit transfers and race tickets, or a land package - excluding airfares - with accommodation, visas, race tickets and track and airport transfers. In addition, Gulf Air's newly launched Arabian Experience Destination Services, promoted internationally through the airline's outlets and travel and tour operators, offers a flexible package to Gulf Air owner states and Dubai, inclusive of return flights, accommodation, visas and race ticket via a shuttle flight to Bahrain to watch the Grand Prix on Sunday 4 April.
"The Grand Prix will give Bahrain tremendous exposure as a tourism destination and is already proving very popular with Formula One teams who have visited the kingdom on fam trips," said Mark Senior, Gulf Air manager destination marketing.
At the recent World Travel Market in London, the Gulf Air stand featured an F1 car and held a raffle for tickets to Bahrain to watch the Grand Prix.
Bahrain's travel agents and hoteliers are working closely with their counterparts in neighbouring GCC states to organise accommodation and transport packages and local investors are being urged to invest in accommodation alternatives. Even individual households are being urged to turn their homes into temporary bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation where landlords can expect to make a minimum of $150 per night per guest. Another alternative being discussed is a tent city in the desert near to the BIC which could accommodate approximately 40,000 visitors.
A massive marketing and media campaign, including international and regional roadshows, has been ongoing since September 2003, to promote Formula One and Bahrain's position as the financial and investment centre of the Arabian Gulf. All 35 corporate packages, priced at $24,000 each, were sold out on the launch date, mostly to Bahraini companies and organisations. These include private suites, race viewing balcony, television screens and individual kitchens.
For more information see www.bahraingp.com; tel: +973-406222; fax: +973-406333. Tickets can be purchased online.
© Middle East Travel 2004
