Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) to strengthen Bahrain – India Tourism ties
 A major travel exhibition organiser is to help strengthen the tourism ties between Bahrain and India.This follows Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa's first official visit to India last month.
Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM), organisers of the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE), will join India Tourism Dubai in a major campaign to increase the tourist traffic between Bahrain and India.
"As part of the campaign, a 76-page full colour brochure on India in Arabic and English will be launched at BITE 2007 next month," Magnum Holdings group chairman Jamil Wafa told a Press conference at the Unitag House.
"The event will be held under the patronage of the Crown Prince at Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, from May 8 to 10.
"It will be our earnest endeavour to strengthen the tourism ties between Bahrain and India, following up on the outcome of the successful visit of the Crown Prince to India last month."
Mr Wafa, who is also the chairman and chief executive of the Unitag Group, said the current tourist traffic to India from Bahrain and other Gulf countries was not very encouraging, considering the magnitude and vast tourism potential of a sub-continent like India.
"The India Tourism regional office in Dubai will be encouraged to undertake a familiarisation trip for Arab journalists to India," he revealed.
"The brochure we produce will be sent to various travel agencies, which will also be motivated to offer special packages to India."
India Tourism regional director for West Asia and Africa, Kamal Lochan Das said the total tourist arrivals in India last year were 4.4 million, against 3.9m in 2005.
"The number of tourists from the Gulf and other West Asian countries increased from 120,000 in 2005 to 150,000 last year," he revealed.
"According to Indian Embassy figures, tourists from Bahrain who were issued visas to visit India last year were about 8,000, against 6,450 in 2005.
"All the above figures do not include non-resident Indians (NRIs) visiting their home country regularly."
Various initiatives are under way in the tourism sector with the sole objective of providing visitors to "Incredible India" with a world-class experience that differentiates itself as a "spiritually enhancing, culturally enriching, physically invigorating and mentally rejuvenating" experience, said Mr Das.
He said that the Association of British Travel Agency (ABTA) had ranked India as No 1 amongst top 50 places for 2006.
With an open skies policy providing better air connectivity, the aviation system in India has been radically liberalised, said Mr Das.
"Twelve airports are being developed as model airports within the next five years," he noted.
"The plan is to make these airports cater to 40m international and 65m domestic travellers by 2010.
"In order to overcome the shortage in the accommodation sector, efforts are afoot to add 150,000 hotel rooms in the next four years."
The recent introduction of the Medical Visa will help in the growth of medical tourism in India, said Mr Das.
Under this visa, a patient along with an attendant can come to India for a period of one year, which can be extended further up to three years.
Courtesy: - http://www.gulf-daily-news.com |
