Gulf Air's Bahrain World Wide Call Centre starts off

Gulf Air Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Mahmood Al Kooheji inaugurated the Centre by inducting the first batch of 12 Bahraini call centre agents into service after training, in a ceremony held today at its Muharraq headquarters.

"As the flag carrier of the Kingdom this is a very positive development for Bahrain and Gulf Air," says Mr. Kooheji, who handed over the course completion certificates to the agents.

"I am very pleased to see young Bahrainis given carrier opportunities with Gulf Air Call Centre; they are the voice of Gulf Air. As one of the biggest local employers, Gulf Air would like to encourage more such competitive local talents to contribute to the progress of this nation," Mr. Kooheji adds.

Before taking up their jobs, the candidates were given an intensive training programme on Gulf Air's SABRE reservation system and procedures, telephone and booking techniques, efficient handling of customers and other travel-related enquiries.

"The inauguration of call centre in Bahrain is a significant development as part of our business philosophy and objectives,"

says Gulf Air Acting President and Chief Executive Bjorn Naf.

"Operating from our headquarters, we will now be able to manage customer enquiries better and provide our customers the service they truly deserve."

The Call Centre will function from 1pm to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday and Bahrain customers can get their travel-related service over the phone by dialling 17335777. Calls to this number, made before and after this duration and on Fridays and Saturdays, will continue to be served by the World Wide Centre in Muscat.

"Gulf Air is keen on providing the best possible service to its customers whether it is on the ground or in the air," says Gulf Air Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales Mr. Lee Shave.

"We received over 150 applications from within Gulf Air and outside in response to an announcement out of which 12 best candidates were selected using rigorous recruitment procedures. Another 30 candidates have been recruited, who will be joining duty after the current training," Mr. Shave concluded.