The Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) 2007 attracted over 18,000 visitors, organiser Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM) has announced.
“BITE 2007 has been successful in assisting and complementing the government of Bahrain's efforts towards promoting and raising the benchmark of the Bahraini tourism industry,” said Jamil Wafa, chairman at MEEM’s parent company, Magnum Holdings.
“This year, we put in a considerable amount of research and effort in attracting new participants by providing them with novel concepts and value-additions. The result was tremendous with BITE 2007 attracting over 18,000 visitors and exhibitors from 41 countries - making the expo a grand success.
“Furthermore, we are very proud to say that our sponsors and exhibitors are extremely happy with the results achieved and we are all looking forward to BITE 2008.”
BITE 2007 was held from May 8 to 10 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre and was opened by Deputy King Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Wafa said the organisers were upbeat about next year’s event – with 75 per cent of those who exhibited at BITE 2007 already making enquiries about returning for the 2008 event.
The organisers cited the launch of the Sunshine Tours’ special brochure on India with the support of India Tourism Office Dubai, as one of the key highlights of the expo. The brochure features various tour options available to India from Bahrain and is aimed at creating the awareness on India's vast tourism potential, key tourist destinations, and to provide special packages to these locations.
The 72-page full colour brochure is a comprehensive guide in Arabic and English which offers the traveller various itineraries in different parts of India including options for spa and wellness holidays and rail tours.Indian Ambassador to Bahrain Balakrishnan Shetty presented Shaikh Salman with a special copy of the brochure.
Airlines including Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and Turkish airlines used the event to offer special fares to a variety of destinations and luxury accommodation chain Oberoi Hotels & Resorts was one of several hotels to unveil new deals, its Exotic Vacations Summer 2007 strategy proving very popular.
“We are proud to say that through BITE 2007, we have successfully brought the providers of holiday related services and clients exploring value for money offers, under one roof,” said Meem chairman Hisham Al Baradie. “BITE has progressed positively since its inception three years ago and we are very happy with the results of this year's show. We are confident of attracting at least 50pc more visitors for BITE 2008, with a 25pc increase in the floor space,” he concluded.
BITE 2008 will be held from May 13 to 15.