In its role as National airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air is continuing its support of major sporting, social, business and cultural events with the announcement of becoming the official airline and platinum sponsor of the first ever Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Senior Tour Event in Bahrain.
Speaking at the press conference to announce the airline’s sponsorship, Head of Marketing Shane O’Hare said the airline was delighted to put its full support behind the event, at the Riffa Golf Club, on November 10 and 12.
“The promotion of the region and specifically our owner states remains high on our agenda,” he said.
“Since Gulf Air embarked on its recovery programme, we have worked hard on a wide range of initiatives to promote the economic development of the region, most specifically in the development of tourism. The first ever PGA Seniors Tour event in Bahrain provides another great opportunity to show our commitment to the region and in particular the kingdom.”
O’Hare said Gulf Air had continuously supported all its owner states through sponsorship of a wide range of events foremost of which the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix the highest profile. It also included in 2004/05, the Muscat Festival and in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Air Show and the Abu Dhabi World Sand Golf Championships.
“Golf is growing in popularity in the region and is a great tourist attraction in Bahrain. This event is sure to attract a large local, regional and international audience which in turn will provide a great opportunity to showcase the Kingdom,” he added.
“At Gulf Air we want to help unlock the door and encourage more people to sample the delights of Bahrain and its unique hospitality – a quality for which it is famous for.”
Gulf Air is already well placed to achieve this goal through Gulf Air Holidays, where a special holiday package has been developed to facilitate a visit to the kingdom from around the region and further afield, to watch the tournament.
“These packages are available to suit every budget,” said O’Hare.
“No one has a better regional network than Gulf Air and therefore we can provide by the far best connectivity into Bahrain. I am confident that we can help establish this as the preferred stop for the PGA Seniors tour in the future.
“Over the last year Gulf Air has put its weight behind a number of initiatives designed to boost awareness of and interest in all the things its owner states have to offer, in particular tourism attractions. The first Formula One race in the Middle East provides an attraction of the highest order and at the same time, unprecedented opportunities to put Bahrain on the world map.
To book a package to the Seniors Tour event on November 10-12, 2005 contact Gulf Air on 800 2200 or visit www.gulfairco.com
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.
The airline, in the last year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive James Hogan, is making rapid strides towards regaining profitability in 2005 and aims to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment.
The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air’s fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognising the airline’s commitment to service excellence.
