Bahrain will host a series of spectacular events throughout this year as part of the ‘Manama Gulf Capital of Tourism 2016’ initiative which aims to promote the kingdom as a major tourist destination in the region.
Highlights of the initiative include Disney Live!, a food festival, the Formula One race and many other events that the organisers hope will bring visitors from around the region to experience Bahrain and what it has to offer.Manama was selected as the ‘Capital of Gulf Tourism 2016’ following a decision made by the GCC Ministers of Tourism last year.Key stakeholders unveiled details of the initiative as well as the line-up of events for the first quarter of the year during press conference held at Bab Al Bahrain Mall in Manama last month.In attendance were Shaikh Khaled Bin Humood Al Khalifa, acting chief executive of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA); Nawaf Al Koheji, ‘Shop Bahrain’ project director; Jerad Bachar, executive director of Tourism and Leisure Business Development at the Economic Development Board; Sherif Al Mahdy, commercial director at Bahrain International Circuit; and Ahmed Al Nemah, Undersecretary of Civil Aviation Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications.A collaborative effort of BTEA, Tamkeen, BIC and the Economic Development Board, the ‘Manama Gulf Capital of Tourism’ initiative aims to strengthen the development of two-way tourism between the GCC countries and its people, as well as familiarise the historic cities and civilizations of the region.A budget of BD1.7 million ($4.4 million) has been set aside for the initiative, Shaikh Khaled revealed.BTEA has planned events for each month, termed as monthly majlis, targeting all segments of society, including GCC nationals and residents.The January Majlis brought the exciting ‘Bahrain Gaming Experience’ in partnership with Sony. Other highlights for the January Majlis included the Bahrain International Air Show and ‘Shop Bahrain’.February brings the ‘Food Festival’, a culinary exhibition that showcases the kingdom’s emergence as a gastronomy destination, and will be held between February 25 and March 3.In addition, the ‘GCC Food and Travel Award’, to be held on February 27, will award restaurants and hotels in Bahrain and across the GCC.During March, Disney Live! will makes its way to the kingdom for the first time. The five-day programme, held between March 15 and 19 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, will tantalise the audience with family-fun entertainment.Meanwhile, ‘Souqs of Bahrain’ will be held from March 9 to 15. It aims to endorse the traditional and local Bahraini handicrafts while focusing on the traditional souq shopping experience. The event will be held in both the Manama and Muharraq souqs.**********************************************************************************************************************************
Shop Bahrain a big success
The month-long ‘Shop Bahrain’, the second edition of the Bahrain Shopping Festival, was a huge success with thousands of tourists and residents benefiting from the largest such event in the kingdom.
The nationwide festival, which concluded on January 23, celebrated various elements from the culture, tourism, and rich hospitality that the kingdom is renowned for, along with a unique shopping experience filled with promotions and prizes.
As many as 18 malls and more than 2,000 retail outlets took part in the event, which offered many valuable prizes for shoppers.
The authorities have also recently eased the process and procedure of obtaining a visa to the kingdom, including visas for tourists and businessmen along with the residents of the Gulf countries. Nationals from over 113 countries can now obtain a visa either online via the eVisa website or upon arrival.