PLANS for the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) 2007 are being made following the runaway success of the two preceding years’ shows.
Last year’s event saw the participation of 81 companies from 27 countries, with 16,800 visitors from around the GCC.
The event serves as an effective catalyst to strengthen the rapidly growing tourism business in Bahrain and the region by offering innovative ideas and exciting destinations to existing clients while endeavouring to develop a host of new clientele.
Vanessa Nanty, marketing co-ordinator, Seychelles Tourism was very pleased with the outcome at her debut stand at last year’s event. “The consumer turn out was very good and our stand saw several consumers who were planning on travelling to the Seychelles during the year. The show also offered the Seychelles the opportunity to also tap into the Saudi Market. BITE 2006 was very well organized including hotels, entertainment and the show in itself,” she says.
BITE offers the ideal platform for the display of novel products and promotion / launch of new services. The event brings together the suppliers of holiday related services and clients who are scouting for value for money deals. Visitors can expect to meet exhibitors from across the entire spectrum of the travel industry, including airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, health resorts & spas, hotel and accommodation providers, MICE organisers, medical tourism, tourist attractions, tourism boards and tour operators. The visitors constitute individuals, families, business travel organisers, corporate clients, group travel organisers, inbound tour operators, MICE operators, retail travel agents and outbound tour operators.
“Participating in BITE for consecutive years has seen a growth from the Bahrain market to Malaysia. A focus exhibition like BITE is very important for a national tourist office like Tourism Malaysia to further strengthen Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination for Bahrainis,” says Tuan Syed Muhadzir Jamallulil Syed Abdul Malek, director, Tourism Malaysia.
For the second consecutive year, BITE 2007 will organise a Hosted Buyers programme for 90 key international MICE planners. The comprehensive destination programme includes one-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers at the travel show and the opportunity to experience Bahrain first-hand.
“BITE 2006 provided an excellent platform for the Bahrain Convention & Exhibition Authority to promote Bahrain as a key MICE destination to a wide target audience. The buyer-seller meet was excellent, well-organised and gave us a superb opportunity to have focused one on one meetings with key decision makers,” says Debbie Stanford Kristiansen, acting director, MICE, Destination Marketing & PR, Bahrain Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
Those interested individuals who wish to be a part of the Hosted Buyers programme must be responsible for planning, organising, recommending or making financial decisions for any of their international MICE events outside their home country.