Festival plans are unveiled

A Ramadan and Eid Shopping Festival will be staged in the kingdom to attract more visitors from across the region and offer locals an array of promotional offers.

The event will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) and will run throughout the holy month and during the religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks its end.

Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, the chief executive of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), said that a contract has been signed with Royal Show Exhibitions and the centre had been reserved to support the Bahraini economy by stimulating tourism and increasing the number of visitors to the kingdom from all over the world, especially neighbouring Gulf countries.

 “It is the first time that the BIECC has been fully booked for five consecutive weeks,” he revealed. “The festival will undoubtedly revive the tourism drive in the kingdom and boost economic activity as a result of hotel occupancy by the festival’s participants and visitors, as well as the use of other complementary services.”

Ramadan and Eid Shopping Festival 2017 will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, and the plans were outlined at a press conference held at the Capital Club in the presence of Fawzi Tolefat, director of marketing and promotion of exhibitions in BTEA and Tarek Amer, general manager of Royal Show Exhibitions. 

The festival is expected to contribute $4m to the national economy directly through trade transactions and indirectly through the use of hotels, restaurants, transportation and other related services.

“Such exhibitions are part of BTEA’s plan to revitalise the tourism sector and attract both Bahraini visitors and tourists from the GCC countries and beyond, who are interested in local festivals offering a variety of activities for families and young children,” said Fawzi.

The organisers promise Bahraini merchants will be prioritised and will receive a 20 per cent discount on their participation.

Local merchants will also have the opportunity to view the latest international products and can engage in trade talks and deals with suppliers from around the world. It will also provide buyers with product diversification as well as competitive prices which the organisers believe will again indirectly benefit the national economy.

Tarek said the event would be ‘unique in nature’, showcase different products and activities, as well as highlight promotions and offer valuable prizes to be won, including four cars.

Visitors will be welcomed every day from 11am to 3pm and from 7.30 pm to 1.30am.