A BITE-size wonder

The Bahrain International Travel Expo opened its doors to holiday-seekers and industry executives for its sixth consecutive year over the weekend.

Around 90 exhibitors from 30 countries participated in the event which was organised by Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM) and held at the Bahrain International and Exhibition Centre in Sanabis.

The event was held under the patronage of Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture and Information, who presented a memento honouring Jamil Wafa, group founder and executive chairman of Magnum Holdings, the parent company of MEEM, and his team for their commitment to the exhibition and the travel industry of Bahrain.

Mr Wafa said: "Seven years ago HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, mentioned the idea of a travel exhibition in Bahrain and that was the beginning of BITE - allowing us to put the name of the island out to the world and bringing the world to Bahrain.

"We will continue this annually, irrespective of what happens beyond our control - we will not be deterred by economic conditions. We have a cause that we will continue - every thunder brings along rain which in turn helps flourish the land."

Visitors were given the chance to mingle with leading local and regional airlines, travel agents, car rental companies, experts in the field of conventions and exhibitions, cruise lines, health resorts and spas, hotel accommodation providers, medical tourism executives, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) organisers, tourist attractions, tourism boards, tour operators and travel insurance providers.

Many travel and tourism publications were represented as well alongside officials from the ministries of culture and information and social development.

Debutant travel destination exhibitor, Malta, offered visitors an insight into the Mediterranean holiday haven.

Payal Choksi, business support manager of the Consulate General of Malta in Dubai, said: "This is our first year at BITE. Malta is a family-oriented destination with one of the best Mediterranean climates. The language is also one of its strengths as we have received a lot of comments from Arab travellers who felt that they could understand what is being spoken.

"Malta is also one of the safest in its region with a very low crime rate and an extremely calm political scenario. It offers a wide range of activities such as sea adventures, history, arts and culture, dining as well as a vibrant night life."

Payal also explained that there are daily direct flights to Malta with Emirates from Dubai and travellers wishing to make a trip from Bahrain could also get connecting flights from Rome, Venice or Sicily.

The Tunisian stand offered a special package for visitors interested in specialist spa therapies. The country is renowned for offering a variety of Thalasso therapy treatments including body wraps, hydro-massage, and scrubs that use seawater, seaweed and other ocean derivatives.

Mahmoud Dardoumi, director for Gulf at the Tunisian National Tourism Office as part of the Ministry of Tourism based in Dubai, said: "We are promoting our Thalasso project in Bahrain and the region and have received favourable responses."

Visitors from across the kingdom also flocked to the event to find the best bargains to choose a safe, secure and fun holiday for the summer.

Teacher Hussain Al Madani, 54, from A'ali, visited with his wife, Huda, to check out packages available. He said: "We found some interesting information. Thailand seems fun while Morocco also looks like a good summer choice."

Toto Silvonen, an employee of Central Bank of Bahrain, 45, from Adliya, said: "We have been visiting BITE for three years now and have found the exhibition very helpful.

"Last year, we travelled to Oman and this year too, we are looking for regional holiday packages."

Financial controller Sajjad Hussain was accompanied by his friend and their families in search of prospective holiday sites. Mr Hussain, 35, from Busaiteen, said: "This is the first time we are coming to BITE. We came to check out summer packages and we are quite keen on Turkey or Syria."

Mum Suokkim, 40, and her son Junyoung Choi, 11, were strolling around the exhibition centre. Mrs Choi, a housewife from Manama, said: "I am really keen on trying out Istanbul in Turkey. We moved to Bahrain four months ago so the event is proving very helpful in providing information on travel enquiries."

Friends Margaret Correya, 54, and Preety Bosco, 44, attended the show and found a particular interest in Cyprus which they hope to pitch to other friends for a group vacation this summer.

Mrs Correya, a housewife from Manama, said: "We came to check out airline rates and travel ideas for summer as a big group of us are planning on making a trip together. The event is a helpful way for residents to plan their holidays."

The exhibition also welcomed 35 hosted MICE buyers. A seminar and workshop was conducted for them where Dr Heba Aziz, executive director and advisor, Tourism Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Information made a presentation on 'Bahrain . . . small is beautiful' and Ashwini Kakkar, executive vice-chairman of Mercury Travel India, spoke on the topic 'India Outbound'.

Gurjit Singh Ahuja, chief executive officer of India-based Travel Shastra said: "Normally people look towards Thailand, Malaysia or Dubai but Bahrain is a fresh new MICE destination with its wide array of interests such as the Formula One Grand Prix, the Al Areen Palace and Spa, the Lost Paradise of Dilmun and the many malls.

"We are always looking for new opportunities and destinations and were keen to be here. The response has been quite positive as well."

The event also staged a variety of cultural attractions including dancers, singers, musicians and performers to entertain the crowds.