'Bahrain prepared to receive influx of travellers during Eid Al-Fitr'

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is well prepared to manage the influx of tourists during Eid al-Fitr armed with health protocols and attractive programmes, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority said, as the Kingdom continues to ease its COVID-19 restrictions.

BTEA confirmed preparations are ready to resume economic and tourism activities by adhering strictly to COVID-19 preventive measures.

Packages to stimulate family tourism focusing on Bahrain as an ideal place for families in the Gulf to spend their holidays is already up.

Bahrain, BTEA said, has a variety of tourist and entertainment attractions targeting family tourists. Dr Nasser Ali Qaedi, the CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said there would be an increase in the volume of tourists reaching Bahrain through various entry points, mainly through the King Fahd Causeway.

Bahrain has a travel corridors arrangement in place with GCC and other nations to ensure vaccination and recovery certificates for hassle-free ingress and egress for travellers.

Khalid Najaibi, the first vice-chairman of the Bahrain Chamber, board member of King Fahd Causeway authority, has earlier said the Kingdom is expecting a 2.9 billion dollar boost from spending surge during Eid.

Dr Ali Qaedi said the authority is also running a campaign with the slogan “# We have you”, targeting visitors from Saudi Arabia through Instagram and Twitter platforms (tourismbh). It focuses on tourism activities and offers available and new tourism facilities that started running during 2020.

“The pandemic has hindered direct communication between people of Bahrain and their brothers in the Gulf countries, especially in Saudi Arabia.” “They are all preparing to hold family meetings for which the authority is preparing a grand welcome by launching a light show from the watchtower on the King Fahd Causeway.”

“We are also decorating some of the main buildings in the streets of the Kingdom in red and green.” “Besides, the campaign slogan is displayed on billboards inside malls.”

The authority is also arranging some shows, including at Bahrain Bay, from 17 to 23 May. The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority is also in direct touch with Bahraini tourist facilities, including hotels, restaurants, cafes, entertainment destinations, and other facilities to ensure they are ready to receive tourists.

“Adherence to health measures is also being checked to ensure tourists an enjoyable and safe stay.” Dr Ali Qaedi said the staff of the BTEA are ready to receive, celebrate and provide top-class services to travellers.

“The tourist arrivals also heralds the resumption of activity in the tourism sector of Bahrain,” the BTEA CEO said, adding that this is a confidence booster for the tourism sector. “It paves the way for a new phase for supporting the economy, hospitality, retail, logistics and other sectors.”

“This is going to provide a positive boost to the economic and investment sector of the Kingdom,” added Ali Qaedi. He further affirmed BTEA is striving to boost the position of Bahrain as a preferred tourist destination in the region. “We are finding appropriate solutions to ensure the sustainability of the tourism sector in the Kingdom while taking into account the health and safety of the visitor.”