Tag Archives: Bahrain

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) recently announced the arrival of the first two cruise ships into the Kingdom, where more than 5,600 visitors were aboard the MSC and AIDA cruise lines. Additionally, a tour around the Kingdom was also organised where visitors had the chance to visit some of Bahrain’s tourist attractions. “We are happy to welcome the first two cruise ships for 2018 and are committed to providing all the facilities necessary to ensure their safe arrival into the Kingdom. We look forward to receiving more cruise ships over the next few months. This comes as part of the BTEA’s focus to revitalise the tourism sector for growth of the national economy,” said H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, BTEA. “During the current cruise season which runs between November and May, Bahrain is expected to receive 33 cruise vessel calls and almost 80,000 visitors from prestigious cruise lines including the world-renowned Crystal Cruises,” he added. Hosting cruise ships comes as part of the BTEA’s long-term strategy to further develop the Kingdom’s tourism sector under the slogan of ‘Ours.Yours.’, which contributes towards the Kingdom’s 2030 Economic Vision.

Global investment conglomerate Dubai Holding and Sevens Holding SPC signed a management agreement for Jumeirah Group to operate a luxury hotel in Bahrain. Scheduled to open on February 27, 2018, the hotel will be named as Jumeirah Royal Saray – Bahrain. The agreement marks Jumeirah Group’s entry into the Bahrain hospitality market and is a strategic milestone for the world-renowned luxury hospitality brand. The Jumeirah Royal Saray, located on the Bahrain shoreline in a premium beach front position, offers 167 guest rooms including two Royal Suites as well as a variety of dining and recreational choices including a state-of-the-art health club and spa. This important addition to the Jumeirah Group portfolio is in line with the group’s expansion plans across the Gulf Cooperation Council. Jumeirah Group currently operates 20 hotels in nine destinations, managing more than 6000 hotel rooms and suites. The opening of Jumeirah Royal Saray – Bahrain demonstrates the group’s focus on accelerated growth and its continued drive to export its unique brand of hospitality.

In a bid to celebrate Bahrain’s 46th National Day, a special one-off A380 service by Emirates will be operated on December 15, 2017- EK 835 and EK 836, departing from Dubai at 12:55hrs and arriving in Bahrain at 1:10hrs. The flight will then depart from Bahrain at 3:50hrs and arriving in Dubai at 6:05hrs. The Emirates A380 flying to Bahrain will be set in a two-class configuration, featuring 58 flatbed seats in Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats on the upper deck with another 437 seats in Economy Class on the lower deck. Premium class passengers travelling on the A380 can experience Emirates’ Onboard Lounge where they can socialise, network and enjoy complimentary beverages, canapés and other special delicacies. Emirates has been flying to Bahrain since 2000, developing its operations by increasing its services based on growing demand, and today operates four daily flights to the Kingdom, connecting Bahraini travellers to over 150 global destinations, including key commercial and leisure centres in Europe, the US and Far East.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) hosted Saudi wedding planning agencies from Jeddah and Riyadh from the October 21-23. Seven agencies were selected to attend the forum held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) on October 23, where they met 30 various companies from the Kingdom of Bahrain to discuss future opportunities in the sector. The companies included major hotels, wedding planning agencies, travel logistics companies and banquet halls. “We are delighted to host the largest Saudi Arabian wedding planning agencies to promote the wide range of wedding services and amenities available in the Kingdom. The BTEA strives to host such events that aim to showcase the Kingdom’s offerings as a wedding destination as well as the international luxury hotel chains and boutique offerings,” said Dr. Ali Hassan Follad, Advisor to the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.

Effective from November 1, 2017, Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines signed a codeshare agreement to expand travel opportunities for the passengers of both airlines with daily flights between Bahrain and Istanbul. The signing ceremony took place at Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul headquarters. Gulf Air’s Captain Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi and Turkish Airlines’ Deputy Chairman and CEO, Bilal Ekşi signed the agreement together in the presence of senior officials from both airlines. This new agreement will be applied to the flights operated by both carriers to Manama and Istanbul, broadening the commercial partnership between the two companies and their respective countries while providing passengers with more travel options. Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines has one daily flight each between Bahrain and Istanbul.

South Africa based hotel brand One & Only is scheduled to open their latest resort in Seef, Bahrain later this year. Situated on the north-western coast of Bahrain, the resort will feature approximately 150 guest rooms, suites and villas, situated on a private beachfront. The resort will also feature world-class dining and retail choices, including a Hakkasan restaurant, along with a Givenchy Spa.

In keeping with the recent instructions from the governments of UAE, Saudi and Bahrain, seven carriers from the various Middle East countries have suspended their services to Doha with effect from June 6, 2017 until further notice. Among these airlines are Royal Jets, Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia from UAE; Saudia from Saudi and Gulf Air from Bahrain. While Etihad, Emirates and flydubai suspended all flights between Dubai and Doha, Royal Jets suspended their services between Abu Dhabi and Doha and Air Arabia suspended their flights between Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah and Doha. Saudia has suspended its flights between Saudi and Doha and Gulf Air between Bahrain and Doha. So all customers who have booked tickets on any of these airlines for flying to Doha will have to contact the airlines for alternative options, which will include full refunds on unused tickets or free re-booking to the nearest alternate destinations. For detailed information, the relevant airlines can be called or their websites can be looked up.

Under the patronage of H.H Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA), Bahrain hosted the first Bahrain Restaurant and Hospitality Forum (BRHF) organised by Culinaire & Beyond at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center. This unique forum is strategically supported by the BTEA and Tamkeen, which seek to stimulate the launch of new projects and expand the scope of small and medium-sized businesses in the restaurant and hospitality sector, both locally and internationally. “The BTEA is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at boosting investments in Bahrain’s tourism sector. Restaurants and hospitality facilities are the most important aspects that help to enhance the experience offered to visitors. We therefore encourage this forum, which is in line with the Authority’s long-term strategy to make the Kingdom a leading regional center offering a diverse and distinct variety of restaurants and hospitality facilities,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the BTEA, H.E Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa.

Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, partnered with VFS Global, the largest visa service provider in the world, to facilitate visa issuance for passengers flying to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The online visa facility will launch this summer on gulfair.com. Signing the agreement with VFS Global, Gulf Air Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmed Janahi, said: “We are partnering with VFS Global to provide a much needed service to Gulf Air passengers that will support our national carrier’s longstanding efforts to promote the Kingdom as a destination to a broad spectrum of travellers while making the process of obtaining a visa to Bahrain easier and more convenient. Soon, Gulf Air passengers will be able to easily obtain short term visit visas to Bahrain via our website gulfair.com – allowing them to come to Bahrain and experience all that our Kingdom has to offer in terms of tourism, business opportunities and more.” Said Zubin Karkaria, Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, “Integrating next-generation convenience into the traditional visa process lies at the heart of our services. We are pleased to synergise our efforts with Gulf Air and the Government of Bahrain to ensure greater flexibility and digital-friendly services for visitors to Bahrain, while maintaining the security requirements of the visa process. We believe the online e-visa platform will make visa application much more convenient for Gulf Air customers, providing them with greater speed and transparency in the process, thereby enhancing their overall experience.” Added Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global, “Applying for an eVisa through our dedicated online platform, designed exclusively for Gulf Air passengers, will transform the visa application experience for passengers, offering …

Bahrain is the latest country to be added to Belarus’ list of countries exempted from visa requirements to enter its territories. On January 9, the President of Belarus signed a Decree “On establishing a visa-free order of entrance and departure of foreign citizens”. Under the decree, Bahraini nationals, and nationals from the list of exempted countries, can enter the country for a period of five days and via the international Minsk airport. Visitors to Belarus should also carry documents such as valid passports or any other acceptable travel documents, a minimum sum of money equal to €25($26.6) per day (€125/$133.4 for five days), and at least €10,000 ($10,675.6) health insurance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also excluded from the advantages of visa exemption are travelers on official business and travelers with diplomatic or special passports or its equivalent. The visa exemption procedures do not apply to flights departing or coming from Russia through the international Minsk airport. Considered domestic flights by the Government of Belarus, these trips are not subject to audit procedures across the Belarusian border, the Ministry added.