Vroom with a view!

THE Bahrain International Circuit has revealed an innovative range of accommodation packages for overseas visitors to the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 4-5-6.

The packages are designed to dramatically reduce the cost of staying in the kingdom through the Grand Prix period and make the drama and excitement of 'Our Race' open to international motor sport fans.

There are a broad range of four-night packages to suit every budget at the forthcoming Grand Prix, which became a sell-out event in 2007 drawing 90,000 people to the biggest sporting and social occasion in the region.

The BIC has joined forces with Bahrain's leading travel agency Kanoo Travel, through its Kanoo Holidays operation, to ensure an enormous variety of choice in deals ranging from self-catering apartments to the finest five-star service.

"For many travellers the cost of 'Grand Prix pricing' has been an issue since the first Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004," said BIC chief operating officer, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.

"Last year we put together our first set of travel and accommodation packages which were extremely well-received and in 2008 we have come together with Kanoo Holidays to create the best possible range of packages to welcome everyone to Bahrain."

Prices for the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix all-inclusive packages start from BD186 per person for the four nights, inclusive of accommodation and a three-day ticket for the Turn 1 grandstand, with the option to change this for a different vantage point for a supplementary charge.

Additionally, flights and transfers to and from the circuit can be included at extra cost.

Nabeel Kanoo of Kanoo Travel said: "We are committed to the ongoing success of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and the Bahrain International Circuit as a showcase for the kingdom. Creating these packages is a significant boost in ensuring that overseas visitors can enjoy the event at a reasonable cost."

Thanks to the pricing structure of the packages, it is also possible to upgrade, with major hotels such as the Ramada and Golden Tulip offering extremely cost-effective packages and even the sumptuous new Banyan Tree Resort and Spa located just minutes from the BIC.

Umair Tahir, the head of the BIC reseller network, said: "Last year we had a fairly limited selection of complete packages including travel and accommodation. However, the interest was strong enough from Asia and Europe, let alone the GCC, in attending our race that we believe this is the ideal proposition.

"Overseas fans can arrange their own travel to Bahrain and then we provide the perfect solution in terms of cost, flexibility and accessibility to enjoy all the entertainment and atmosphere that surrounds our race."

He said the organisers were still keen to bring more apartment buildings into the scheme.

For more information contact Kanoo Holidays on 17828797.