Strong Bahraini tourism contingent eyes Arabian Travel Market 2009

Speaking at a press conference in Manama, Essa Hassani, Senior Marketing Specialist - Tourist Section, Bahrain Ministry of Culture and Information, echoed the sentiments as he outlined the Kingdom's ongoing plans and identified key target markets for the country at Arabian Travel Market 2009.

"Tourism plays a big role in Bahrain's GDP and currently represents 12 percent of total income, with this figure expected to rise to 25 percent over the next ten years. Both the government and private sector has made considerable investments in to the country's tourism infrastructure with more that 20 five star properties expected to come online in the next three to four years,"

said Hassani.

"We are very much targeting intra-regional travellers from GCC markets as this makes up 90% of our current tourist numbers. As such, we will very much be leveraging Arabian Travel Market to open additional business avenues with regional companies. In addition, we will also look to traditional Western tourism markets to supplement Bahrain's fledgling cruise industry. Currently we have three cruise ships a week docking in the Kingdom, representing 120,000 passengers a year. We hope to double that in the next two years."

Reed Travel Exhibitions' Group Exhibitions Director, Mark Walsh, reiterated that the event's unrivalled global exhibitor base - which spans 60-plus countries - its increased content and product offering, and its superior visitor programme, make it the logical business and knowledge platform to showcase Bahrain's tourism industry potential internationally.

"Bahrain is one of the Middle East's longest-established tourist destinations and has pioneered a number of major tourism initiatives to bolster its overall proposition, including next month's Formula One event. Over the years, Bahraini companies have utilised Arabian Travel Market as a platform to both demonstrate their product offerings to a global audience and forge enhanced business relationships, all of which continue to ensure the country's continuing success as an important regional - and increasingly attractive international - destination," said Walsh.

Under the stewardship of the Kingdom's Ministry of Culture and Information, Bahrain's tourism contingent will be out in force at Arabian Travel Market 2009. Leading the charge will be the country's flagship airline and Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix title sponsor, Gulf Air, members of the media, tour operators, travel agents and hospitality chains - with many more to come in the run up to the show.

And according to organisers, the Kingdom's increased tourism profile is generating solid interest from international visitors.

"Visitor interest for the show has been solid and we are extremely optimistic regarding quality and quantity. With visitor registrations up on this time last year, many buyers have earmarked Bahrain as an important destination and we expect this figure to rise as we get closer to the show opening," said Walsh.

"Over the last couple of years, we have invested considerable resources in attracting the right visitors to the show. These initiatives are now bearing fruit. For example, at Arabian Travel Market 2008, the number of quality visitors - which represent a senior management demographic - was up by 15 per cent on 2007."

Walsh also outlined the business potential for Bahrain visitors to open dialogue with the international travel community at the show, which runs from 5-8th May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"Trade visitors from Bahrain will have unrivalled possibilities to identify and pursue outbound and inbound offerings from across the globe. To date, more than 2,000 exhibitors and stand-sharers, including nearly 60 national tourist bodies representing six continents, have signed up,"

he added.

To increase business dialogue and knowledge sharing, Arabian Travel Market organisers have implemented a number of enhanced initiatives for 2009.

The show's Hosted Buyers programme - which identifies high-quality buyers in terms of purchasing and decision-making power - will increase to 150 top international, first time participants for 2009 - up from 120 last year.

In addition, Careers Day - a programme designed to enable meetings between exhibitors and members of the general public with a keen interest to work within the industry or developing an existing career - will also debut this year. The initiative is held under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Education.

As well as face-to-face meetings with potential employers, visitors can attend specific career workshops and seminars hosted by established industry representatives.

Other key programmes retuning this year, including an expanded seminar programme, increased year-long web presence and networking facilities as well as Travel Agents Day - which is designed to foster the latest top-class travel and tourism education among travel agents.

In addition to combining skills, learning, product knowledge and great competitions, Travel Agents Day also boasts a new-look format for 2009 which affords destinations an opportunity to showcase their brand to the regional and international industry in a dedicated show-floor theatre.

The online portal for Arabian Travel Market can be found at www.arabiantravelmarket.com. Signing up early will allow visitors to take advantage of extensive e-networking tools that will allow them to link up with the most relevant industry players to their business.

Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.