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Bucking the trend of the global financial crisis, organisers of Bahrain's premium travel exhibition, the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) announced a successful year.
Around 13,000 people attended the three-day event at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, Sanabis.
Jamil Wafa, founder and group chairman of Magnum Holding, the parent company of Magnum Events and Exhibition Management (MEEM), which runs the expo, said: "Every year, through BITE, we bring the world to Bahrain.
"We welcome the travel industry and consumer community to experience this wonderful expo, so that together we can inspire travel in the region and further abroad.
"BITE 2009 has made my colleagues, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the show was a success, and I, very proud.
"BITE is not only an important international annual event for the global travel industry, but also for international MICE (Meetings, Incentives, conferences and Exhibitions) organisations and consumers who find great value in the many exciting packages and deals offered at the expo.
"BITE has definitely put Bahrain on the world map and on the annual itinerary for the travel industry."
From 14 countries and 40 exhibitors in a total space of 1,100sq/m in its maiden year, 2005, the exhibition, claimed by the organisers to be the first business-to-consumer focused travel and tourism event in the region, hosted 40 countries and more than 100 exhibitors in 2009, in a total area of 7,500sq/m.
The range of exhibitors included airlines, car rental companies, conventions and exhibitions organisers, cruise lines, health resorts and spas, hotel accommodation providers, MICE organisers, tourist attractions, tourism boards, tourism TV channels, tour operators and travel insurance providers as well as travel and tourism publications.
There were various activities centred around the expo including a performance by renowned Egyptian singer, Medhat Saleh, at the Cultural Hall next to the Bahrain National Museum.
Exhibition centre guests were entertained by artists including two folk dancers from Azerbaijan, performers from Qatar Airways' four new destinations namely Amritsar and Goa in India, Australia and the United States, and Ludica Antiqua, a group of classical Italian dancers under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Culture, presented centuries of Italian heritage and history through dance.
There were also prizes including air tickets, hotel stays, fine dining vouchers, electronic home entertainment systems, mobile phones and electrical personal grooming appliances.
The exhibition was attended by Majeed Al Alawi, Minister of Labour; Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, ambassadors, dignitaries, and other businessmen and women.
Dates have already been announced for BITE 2010 scheduled from May 13 to 15 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.
