BAHRAIN is determined to send a positive message to the travel and tourism industry despite recent troubles with acting under secretary of tourism Nada Ahmed Yaseen declaring that the island kingdom is on the path back to normality following a period of unrest.
Speaking during GIBTM and as the kingdom’s delegation prepared for a strong appearance at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) she said: “We’re very pleased with the response we have had and we are working together with the private sector to get our message across.
“Our efforts here are not in isolation, since World Travel Market in November we have been evaluating ourselves, we wouldn’t be able to act without our partners who are working side by side with us.
“Bahrain has such a lot of support from people like the golf club, the hotels and the tour operators, we want to link them together so that we are all working in unison to promote the destination.”
Louise Daly of the island’s Royal Golf Club added: “I think it’s very important for us to be here now because if you’re not at the events the message is very negative, we had a brief beforehand at which Miss Nada spoke about working together and the message from the government sector was very positive.”
Nada added: “Our participation at GIBTM was very important at this time as we have not come to the show before and it shows that we are proceeding with our strategy – it has not stopped or been put on hold.
“Life in Bahrain is getting back to normal and our participation here is showing that.”