32% increase in visitors to Bahrain's Hawar Islands

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Bahrain's only eco-tourism resort has registered a 32 per cent increase in occupancy rate in the first six months of the year compared with the same period last year.

In addition, the number of daily trips to and from Hawar Islands soared by 35pc and hotel visitors rose by 17pc in the same period, according to the Southern Tourism Company (STC).

The data was released yesterday as Deputy Prime Minister and Mumtalakat board chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa attended the opening ceremony of a revamped jetty in Manama and the handing over of the 14th ferry to the STC.

He was accompanied by Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani, Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal Ahmed and senior officials who travelled to Hawar Islands in the new vessel, christened STC20.

“There has been a record increase in the number of visitors, hotel room occupancy and daily trips to Hawar Beach Hotel, Hawar Islands during this year compared to last year,” said Shaikh Khalid.

He added plans were underway to increase the number of departure points to Hawar Islands which would result in enhanced services to visitors.

STC is owned by Mumtalakat Holding Company – the government’s sovereign wealth fund – and specialises in operating the hotel and sea transportation to and from Hawar Islands.

Shaikh Khalid said services and facilities for tourists and people visiting Hawar Islands have been revamped.

He also praised the agreement signed between Mumtalakat and H Al Dhaen Boats to help boost the Bahrain boat-building industry.

The boat company handed over its 14th vessel to the STC, making the latter the biggest maritime tourist fleet operator in Bahrain.

“The new ferry can transport 38 passengers and will help increase the number of tourists coming to Hawar Islands,” said STC acting chief executive Captain Abdulla Al Murbati.

“The hotel occupancy levels increased by 32pc in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, while the number of daily trips increased by 35pc.”

He revealed that the company was now exploring other departure points on the mainland to Hawar Islands.

Currently there are three jetties to Hawar Islands located in Durrat Marina Yacht Club, Al Dur and Manama.

Captain Al Murbati also revealed they have signed an agreement with a private company to provide maritime activities for tourists such as renting boats, snorkelling, diving and fishing trips.

Hawar Islands consist of one main island, called Hawar Island, and a group of smaller islands.

They are a protected nature reserve whose main appeal is the thousands of migratory birds that can be spotted there, as well as rare marine species such as the dugong.

The Supreme Council for Environment says the islands are also home to the Middle East’s largest colony of the threatened Socotra Cormorant birds locally known as “Allooh”, accounting for 20pc to 25pc of their world population.

The islands also host other unique birds such as the osprey (fish eagle) and the sooty falcon (Falco concolor), an endangered bird that has taken refuge in Hawar Islands to breed and nest.

In addition to being granted protected status under Bahraini law, Hawar Islands are also among reserves listed in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention).

sandy@gdn.com.bh

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