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Bahraini folk dancers, a henna- artist, a basket weaver and other traditional entertainers greeted around 2,400 tourists and 650 crew members of the German cruise ship AidaBlu at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Hidd.
Not only was it AidaBlu’s first docking in Bahrain, the visit also jump-started the kingdom’s cruise ship season.
As the happy visitors made their way off the boat they were welcomed by the assistant undersecretary of tourism Nada Ahmed Yaseen and an array of cultural activities.
The Ministry of Culture – Tourism Sector also organised a special reception area, setting up a large tent to exhibit and offer tourists local products and handicrafts.
Mrs Yaseen said: “Improving and developing the quality of services offered to tourists is considered as one of the most important aspects for us as it helps expand the sector.
“It will help us attract more tourists and visitors to the kingdom as well as generate revenue for the concerned sectors and the national economy as a whole.
“Cruise tourism is an emerging industry on which the Ministry of Culture- Tourism Sector will focus on in the future to boost Bahrain’s status as a preferred tourist destination on regional and international levels.”
A full programme for the tourists included visits to the Bahrain Fort, which is registered as a World Heritage location (UNESCO), the National Museum, Al Fateh Mosque, the Tree of Life, Al Jasrah Handicraft Centre, other historical forts in addition to visiting modern developments such as the Bahrain International Circuit.
AidaBlu is expected to make 14 out of 15 confirmed trips to Bahrain during the season, which continues until April. Approximately 34,000 tourists and 9,100 crew members are expected to be on board these ships visiting the kingdom.
