Formula One, a boon for tourism sector

With its rip-roaring start, this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix exceptionally stands out as race No 999 in the history of Formula 1. The sixth night race taking place under Bahrain International Circuit’s state-of-the-art floodlights also marks the 15th anniversary of the event.

However, it is more than just adrenaline charged sports extravaganza for it has boosted tourism in the country to an astonishing 150 percent escalation in the past 15 years. Speaking to Tribune, BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated the tourism sector in the country has benefited the largest from the Bahrain Grand Prix every year.

Having an impact on development and stabilization of the country’s economy, Bahrain has been put on the map due to the race’s successful execution every year. Continued growth and deepening diversification have led the island having one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the GCC region.

“Attendance rate has gone high; the economic benefit when defined in numbers exceeded 90 million dollars in recent years and for me, it is a huge achievement when we see full occupancy in hotels and restaurants. “Right now, everywhere you go, there’s a buzz on the island which says ‘F1 Fever’.”

Much of the credit goes to the ultramodern motorsport facility, which cost around $150 million to build. The Bahrain International Circuit has defined itself as a groundbreaking framework, set to perfectly hosting the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.