Sixty disgruntled Bahraini hoteliers are threatening to shut down their establishments ahead of the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr celebrations unless the ministry of information restores their nighttime entertainment licenses by this weekend. The local Chamber of Commerce and Industry is currently trying to mediate between the hotel owners and the ministry, striving to avert a losing season for the local tourism and leisure industry.
The ministry set out a 'family tourism’ policy in October, following the licenses of 60 one- to three-star hotels to stage live night shows were revoked. Authorities also imposed a three-month closure on 22 nightclubs. The remaining 25 four- and five-star hotels operating in the island kingdom of Bahrain retained their permits.
Bahrain is considered relatively liberal among its neighboring Gulf states. Tourists from across the region drive over to its bars and nightlife via the King Fahd causeway. Eid Al-Fitr is rush hour on the causeway and more than 408,000 Saudis used it during last year’s the 12-day holiday. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
