Gulf Air has signed a joint venture agreement with Bahrain's leading travel and tourism operating companies, Kanoo Travel and Dadabhai Travel, to set up a Destination Management Company.
The new venture, yet to be named, will work with the objective of serving as a single point of contact for any ground logistics a customer may require while visiting or transiting through Bahrain.
This includes taking care of a customer's requirements such as airport representation, meet and greet services, transport arrangements, accommodation, sight seeing and general social and sporting activities.
"Bahrain has grown to become an important, major transit point in the Middle East. It is also being increasingly recognised as a major meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) destination," says Gulf Air Vice President Business Units Ali Murtada.
“With the Government of Bahrain all set to establish a tourism authority and develop a tourism master plan to promote Bahrain as a destination of choice, we strongly feel that there is need for a professional destination management company in order to harness the full potential of these developments.”
Gulf Air will also be considering options to develop a similar business in Oman.
"Gulf Air, the national carrier of Kingdom of Bahrain and Sultanate of Oman, together with the two leading travel and tourism companies of the Kingdom with decades of experience, is very well placed to achieve this objective," adds Ali Murtada.
The joint venture will work very closely with the tourism authorities, Bahrain Economic Development Board, Bahrain Airport Services, Immigration Services and other relevant authorities.
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.
The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.
A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.
International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services: These include:
• Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
• Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
• Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
• Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
• Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
• Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
• Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
• Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
• Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
• Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)
