Fest to lure tourists, revive economy

Manama : Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has launched a new initiative, the Ramadan and Eid Shopping Festival 2017, to revitalize tourism and contribute $6.5 million to the national economy.

The festival will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) and will run throughout the holy month of Ramadan and Eid, said Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of BETA, at a press conference held at the Capital Club yesterday, announcing the launch.

“BTEA has signed a contract with Royal Show Exhibitions and the BIECC has been booked during the Holy month,” said Shaikh Khalid, adding that the idea is to support the Bahraini economy by stimulating tourism and increasing the number of visitors to the Kingdom from all over the world, especially from Gulf. 

“The tourism season generally slows down during the month of Ramadan and with this initiative, we are aiming to attract more tourists,” said Shaikh Khalid.

“It is the first time that the BIECC has been fully booked for five consecutive weeks. The festival will undoubtedly revive the tourism and boost economic activity through high hotel occupancy by festival’s participants and visitors which would contribute $6.5 million to the national economy directly through trade and indirectly through hotel occupancy, transportation and other related services,” he said.

“Such exhibitions are part of BTEA’s plan to revitalize the tourism sector and attract both Bahraini visitors and tourists from the GCC countries and beyond, who are interested in the local festivals that offer a variety of activities for families and young children,” said Fawzi Tolefat, Director of Marketing and Promotion of the BTEA who was present at the press conference.

 “I would like to thank BTEA for facilitating the event, we have signed a contract with approximately 350 companies, who will be exhibiting at the event along with that we have unique activities, as well valuable prizes to be won by all visitors, including 4 cars,” said Tarek Amer, General Manager of Royal Show Exhibitions, who also present at the press conference.