Ghabga organisers in Bahrain annoyed as hundreds gatecrash events at expensive hotels

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

Ghabgas are the most prominent social events in Bahrain during Ramadan, which includes generous amounts of food and it is also viewed as a networking opportunity by many companies and people, who invite guests for the event.   

Recently several Ghabgas, usually held in expensive hotels, were invaded by scores of gatecrashers, thus annoying organisers, who end up paying huge bills.   

It is learnt that many Ghabgas, usually held in high-end hotels, were invaded by scores of gatecrashers, annoying the organisers, especially when they receive copies of invoices.    Sources said there were over 200 gatecrashers at a Ghabga event held last week by a prominent private firm at a leading five-star hotel in Bahrain.

The invasion

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, a senior administrative executive of the company, who doesn’t want to be named, said the gatecrashers offered a shocker. “Our bills at the hotel shot up by BD5,000 and the management is training guns at us, the employees, who were in charge of holding the event. I have been in charge of conducting company Ghabgas for the past ten years.

And never ever have I seen such an invasion by gatecrashers.  “Generally, the company guest lists include VVIPS encompassing diplomats and senior government officials, and we don’t want them to have any kind of inconvenience. Keeping this factor in mind, we have always been refraining from a screening process for guests who come for Ghabgas and we never had any issues with this approach during the previous years.”

Another company administrative official, who also received blows from his management for excess Ghabga bill, said he is in a state of shock and despair. “For this year’s Ghabga, we cut short the guest list by at least 30 per cent as the company had to exercise budgetary restrictions. However, gatecrashers would destroy all planning and budgeting. As per the list given by the hotel, I can say there were over 100 of them, suited-booted, walked into the Ghabga and enjoyed a lavish dinner before leaving the place shamelessly.” 

Screen the guests

A security department staff at a five-star hotel in the Kingdom, said the issue wouldn’t have arisen had the organisers requested to screen the guests.  “Being in the hotel security department for a long period, I have advised many of our clients about steps to prevent gatecrashers from invading events. But for this, the hosts must present a request before us. There are many effective ways to stop this illegitimate practice.

‘Invitee only’

“First step is strictly making the event ‘invitee only’. With this we can deter many of those waiting to have a free dinner.  Secondly, the event shouldn’t be published on social media as there is no requirement since personal invitations are sent to the guests. Strictly warn company staff and other insiders against sharing the event news on social media or with known people. 

Use scannable badge

“And the third step, which is the most important, is to explore the latest technologies to keep potential gatecrashers at bay. A scannable badge having a QR code would be the best way to prevent gatecrashers as tickets, wristbands and even hand stamps could be easily obtained or faked.”