A fun-filled summer, focusing mainly on children and families, is lined up for residents and visitors as part of the Bahrain Summer 2002.
To be held from July 1 to August 31, Bahrain Summer will be the largest organised event in the kingdom and promises both visitors and residents shows "never seen before in the Middle East". The BD4 million summer campaign being organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB) aims to welcome more than 320,000 visitors through the two-month period, says its chief executive Jamal Al Hazeem. He said the various attractions during the programme "are designed to cover many interests that would be both educational and entertaining". "Most events will be held indoors and a few outdoor attractions have been timed for the evening to ensure maximum comfort," he said. He said EDB aimed to promote Bahrain as a summer destination for tourists. "The plan is to increase the economic growth of the kingdom by increasing the number of tourists and new business development opportunities," he said. The EDB is promising a "different experience" this summer to both visitors and residents, who EDB hopes will include the Bahrain Summer experience as part of their holiday calendar. Most of the events and attractions will be spread around the Seef area where a mini-festival city of three or four huge tents will spring up for the duration. Events will also be held at the exhibition centre nearby, at the Manama Corniche and at certain other locations around the kingdom. A major part of the drive to increase awareness of the programme, which has its own distinctive logo and mascot, will include street decorations, arches at various locations, lamppost decorations, billboards and advertisements. Mahboob, the dolphin mascot, will be visiting some of the popular locations in the kingdom to promote the attractions. The attractions include stage performances, interactive edutaining exhibitions, illusion shows, musicals, firework displays, sound and light shows, gaming arcades, shopping extravaganzas and float parades. EDB has received the full support from all government ministries and agencies for the event, said Al Hazeem. The government's immigration and passports directorate has promised full cooperation to ensure visitors have easy access to Bahrain, he said. Bahrain Summer will be kicked off with a gala spectacular on July 1. Some of the key attractions lined up include: