Bahrain will promote its leisure and MICE facilities to international trade buyers at ATM.
The Kingdom attracts more than 500,000 visitors every month according to its Ministry of Information, Tourism Affairs. Data available indicates the total number of visitors that visited Bahrain in 2006 has topped the six million mark, said a spokesperson from the Ministry.
The Ministry has spared no effort to promote the Kingdom as an affordable tourism destination and will continue to participate in international and regional exhibitions that attract important buyers from around the world. Regional and international airlines are also increasing their flights to Manama, which will help increase visitor numbers.
Bahrain is to be promoted at ATM the ‘Island of Pleasure’ and is confident of attracting tourists in search of a relaxed and rejuvenating holiday. The Kingdom will participate with more than 50 private sector companies represented on its 120 sq m stand.
These include hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, aviation companies and new and upcoming tourism develop-ments such as the Amwaj Islands and Durrat Al Bahrain, which will highlight the best leisure facilities the Kingdom has to offer. Companies to look out for are Gulf Air, with participation from Sabre Travel Network Middle East, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa Bahrain, the Novotel Al Dana Resort, Mercure Grand Hotel Seef, Al Shamel Travel & Tourism and Sixt Bahrain.
Participants will also include the upcoming $1 billion Al Areen development which boasts a diversified range of health, residential, hospitality and entertainment components.
A recent Euromonitor report states destinations with cultural and sporting attractions are drawing more tourists. Bahrain, with its 5,000-year history and the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix, is well placed to benefit from this trend.
The World Travel and Tourism Council 2007 report forecasts a 14.5 per cent growth for the country's tourism sector, which is expected to generate revenues worth $4.5 billion this year.
The island kingdom's hospitality sector is set to nearly double its hotel room inventory to cater to the forecasted growth.