Represented by Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) and Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain participates in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021, which was launched today at Dubai World Trade Centre, in the presence of HE Mr. Zayed bin Rashed Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, and Chairman of BTEA, and Dr Nasser Qaedi, CEO of BTEA, in addition to representatives of Gulf Air and tourism establishments in the Kingdom.
Occupying 400 metres, Bahrain pavilion at ATM was designed to represent the attractiveness of tourism in Bahrain and the key tourism attractions in the Kingdom. The pavilion includes a distinguished section of Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in addition to seven private tourism sector establishments that present their best offers in this event, which is considered the largest of its kind in the region, and is being held on May 16-19, 2021, under the theme "A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism".
On this occasion, the Minister said in a statement on the side-lines of the opening ceremony that the ATM comes this year at a very important time with the beginning of the tourism sector's recovery from the Coronavirus, and the return of the flow of tourists, especially to the first countries in granting vaccinations and immunising societies such as the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Mr. Al Zayani praised the initiatives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and HM the King's comprehensive patronage of the economic and tourism sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He also said that holding the ATM 2021 in Dubai through physical attendance will have positive results on encouraging all countries to advance in the tourism sector, as Dubai is committed to maintaining the highest standards and protocols of public health and safety in this exhibition.
On the side-lines of the event, the Minister participated as a speaker in the panel discussion, which included the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, the Minister responsible for the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates, HE Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falassi, and the Minister of Tourism of the State of Israel, HE Ms. Orit Farkash-Hacohen, and other renowned regional and international personalities in the field of tourism.
During a speech delivered as part of his participation in the panel discussion, the Minister said the Bahraini participation in the ATM 2021 this year aims to restore the Kingdom of Bahrain's share in the global tourism market, and even achieve higher rates in terms of the number of tourists, their stay and spending rate.
"We are excited to see the tourism sector in Bahrain come back to life, and we are working to capitalise on the success achieved by the national team concerned with addressing the Coronavirus pandemic at the health level in quickly restoring activity to the economic sector, of which the tourism sector is one of its most important pillars, and that the participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this year's edition of ATM is in line with the efforts made to prepare the tourism recovery after the pandemic worldwide, and to position Bahrain as a preferred travel destination, while continuing to maintain health guidelines," Mr. Al Zayani stated.
The Minister also participated as a speaker in the China Tourism Forum that took place today, during which the latest trends of travel abroad from China were highlighted, as well as the best way to meet this demand.
Mr. Al Zayani said: " The Respected Government has taken all necessary measures to secure the entry of visitors and tourists to the country with ease and without any obstacles, and has raised the level of government health coordination between the various GCC countries to approve vaccination and recovery certificates from the Coronavirus, and a safe travel corridor has been approved between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to allow citizens and residents of the two countries to move between them without the need to apply quarantine requirements, in addition to preparing to receive tourists and visitors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting on May 17."
On his part, Dr Qaedi underlined that the BTEA is seeking through its participation in the ATM 2021 to confirm the presence of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the main exporting markets for tourists in GCC countries and the world, and promoting a package of various initiatives and projects prepared by the Authority to revitalise the tourism sector in Bahrain in cooperation with various tourist establishments, and introducing major projects such as the new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sakhir.
Dr Qaedi added that the Authority is keen to participate in the largest possible number of events included in the event, including sessions and conferences, in addition to events related to the hotel industry, buyers forums, the International Conference on Tourism and Investment and the use of technology in tourism, with the aim of presenting the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain to advance the tourism sector, diversify and integrate its products and raise its contribution to the GDP within the goals of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030.
