Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Hosts an Award Ceremony for Tour Operators From KSA

In recognition of their combined efforts in 2019 and success in driving tourists to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) hosted an award ceremony for tour operators from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) at The Ritz Carlton on Saturday 8 February 2020. 

Held in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer of BTEA, Mr. Nader Al Moayyed, along with representatives from the BTEA, the award ceremony also witnessed the attendance of Saudi tour operators and representatives from hotels and destination management companies in Bahrain. During the ceremony, a total of 8 Saudi tour operators were presented awards, including Al Faris International Travel and Tourism, Al Ahram Travel & Tourism, Attar Travels,  Flyin, Fursan Travel, Seera, Traveler Club, Holiday Me and Expedia Group. 

“I would like to emphasize the BTEA’s efforts in strengthening the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position on the tourism map, the strong partnerships we have established with tour operators, travel agencies and various national airlines in collaboration with our representative offices around the world forms a significant part of these efforts. We will continue to work on our strategy at the BTEA, which focuses on developing the Tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain as well as contributing to diversifying the non-oil based sectors of the national economy, in light of the directives of our wise leadership and in line with the 2030 Economic Vision,” said the CEO of BTEA, Mr. Nader Al Moayyed.

“The Saudi market shapes a significant majority of the total inbound tourism coming into the Kingdom of Bahrain. We have been able to work closely with various Saudi tour operators and travel agents, which we will continue to work closely with, in order to increase the number of travelers coming to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The number of travelers coming to the Kingdom through purchasing travel packages provided by tour operators and travel agents in KSA reached more than 120 thousand visitors in 2018, and increased to more than 150 thousand visitors in 2019,” he added.

“I would like to thank the Saudi tour operators along with the hotels and destination management companies in Bahrain for their continuous efforts in promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain. We hope to take Bahrain to even greater heights and look forward to achieving additional success stories in 2020 as we continue to support and work closely with our representative offices across the world,” he also added.

The travel packages - sold by Saudi tour operators - witnessed an increase of 25% in the year 2019 in comparison to 2018, which comes as a result of the BTEA’s collaboration with its Saudi representative office, along with accredited tour operators and travel agencies which provide tailor-made travel packages in order to attract more Saudi tourists to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The BTEA’s long-term strategy focuses on developing and strengthening the tourism sector under the slogan ‘Ours. Yours’, which contributes towards the Kingdom’s economy and achieving the 2030 Economic Vision.