AFTER its phenomenally successful debut in 2005, the second Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE 2006), promises to be four times as big, with exhibitors from around the region as well as Europe and Australia.
To be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center from May 9 to11, the event is organised by Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM).
BITE 2006 will be held under the patronage of HH Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force.
Says Hisham Albaradie, chairman, MEEM, “The singular focus at BITE 2005 was the customer and exhibitors were delighted at the turnout of serious holiday seekers. We are happy at the overwhelming response BITE 2006 has already received from participants across the tourism industry worldwide”.
Last year’s event brought together 42 exhibitors from 15 different countries and drew over 12,000 visitors to its three-day show. This year’s event has generated keen interest from travel agents, airlines, hotel chains, tourism boards and tour operators from around the world. Eighty per cent of last year’s exhibitors have already signed up for BITE 2006.
The exhibition area has been increased from 1,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm, with exhibitors from Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Cyprus, Egypt, France, China, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Singapore, Syria, Turkey and the UAE already signed up.
Says Abraham John, executive director of MEEM, “We have identified the need to customize and tailor BITE 2006 as a forum for the end user, namely the customers, and this shall be our singular focus. At BITE 2006, the customer benefits from the best package of offers they would get from airlines, hotels and tour operators from across the world. BITE 2006 will serve up over 20,000 serious holiday seekers from Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi and other neighboring countries.”
Moreover, 75 MICE buyers, comprising of senior corporate executives, travel experts and media will be hosted at the event, providing for proactive interaction amongst buyers and sellers, a focused B2B forum.
Sponsors and supporting organisations at BITE 2006 include Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, Bahrain’s Ministry of Information – Tourism Affairs, Bahrain Convention & Exhibitions Bureau, Ministry of Commerce, Gulf Air and the Al Hilal Group.