The Kingdom of Bahrain Welcomes First Two Cruise Ships With Over 5,600 European Visitors

Press release

Published January 4th, 2018 - 12:20 GMT

Aida-Stella, Azamara Club Cruises and TUI Cruises arrived in Bahrain carrying over 15,000 passengers.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced the arrival of the first two cruise ships into the Kingdom on the 3^rd of January 2018, where more than 5,600 visitors were aboard the MSC and AIDA cruise lines.

Additionally, a tour around the Kingdom was also organized where more than 4,000 visitors had the chance to visit some of Bahrain’s tourist attractions and learn about its civilization, historical sites and old markets.

“We are happy to welcome the first two cruise ships for 2018 and are committed to providing all the facilities necessary to ensure their safe arrival into the Kingdom. We look forward to receiving more cruise ships over the next few months. This comes as part of the BTEA’s focus to revitalize the tourism sector which will further contribute towards the national economy,” said the Chief Executive Officer of BTEA, H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa.

“During the current cruise season which runs between November and May, Bahrain is expected to receive 33 cruise vessel calls and almost 80,000 visitors from prestigious cruise lines including the world-renowned Crystal Cruises,” he added.

Furthermore, Aida-Stella, Azamara Club Cruises and TUI Cruises arrived in Bahrain carrying over 15,000 passengers. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is also expected to dock in Bahrain towards the end of the season.

Hosting the cruise ships comes as part of the BTEA’s long term strategy to further develop the Kingdom’s tourism sector under the slogan of ‘Ours.Yours.’, which contributes towards the Kingdom’s economy and the 2030 Economic Vision.

Background Information

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BETA)

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority was established in 2015 under the Royal Decree number (76) for the year 2015 issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain. Whereas the first clause of the Decree number (10) stated that an authority should be established under the supervision of the Council of Ministers

In 2015, BTEA started its operations under the Decree number (9) for the year 2015 to append the Tourism Affairs to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce based on the recommendation of HRH Prime Minister and under the law number (62) of the year 2016 to establish and regulate the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA) and the Decree number (1) for the year 1985 to establish a Supreme Council for Tourism, and the law number (15) for the year 1986 to regulate the Tourism sector amended by a Law by Decree number (12) for the year 1994.