CRUISES to the mangroves of Tubli Bay have been launched as part of Bahrain’s tourism push.
Boats have been departing on daily trips since Wednesday from a dock in Sitra.
Bahrain Mangrove Tours is an eco-tourism initiative that takes passengers to one of the country’s protected natural reserves.
“It gives us great pleasure to announce the launch of mangrove tours in Tubli Bay, in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE),” said BTEA chief executive Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa in a statement.
“We aim to provide all visitors unique experiences through the various attractions and activities offered in the kingdom.
“This comes as part of the BTEA’s long-term strategy to further develop Bahrain’s tourism sector.”
Bahrain’s tourism chiefs have set an ambitious target of increasing revenue from the industry to $1 billion by 2020, effectively doubling the sector’s contribution to Bahrain’s gross domestic product (GDP) from 3.6pc to 6.6pc.
The launch of eco cruises is the latest part of a strategy to meet that goal, as the country seeks to diversify an economy heavily reliant on oil.
“We assure that the cruise will offer truly unforgettable sights and experiences to the public,” a representative of the cruise booking office, in Sitra, told the GDN. “There are two tours available now – one is the mangrove tour and the other is Tubli sightseeing.
“The mangrove cruise is a 45-minute boat trip to the mangroves and people can feel free to see the place, click pictures and spend time there, while the other is more of Tubli Bay for 30 minutes.
“The response has been good and we are sure to see more people during weekends and, with the weather toning down, I am sure people will love the experience.”
Tubli Bay is rich with shrimp and rare birds and was declared a protected zone in 2006 after years of illegal land reclamation.
The bay’s size was originally 13.5km, but municipal officials said last year that it had shrunk to around 9km as a result of unlicensed coastal development.
Work has also begun on the expansion of water channels and cultivation of more private mangrove nurseries, in co-operation with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, confirmed an SCE representative.
“The Tubli Bay reserve is one of the most important natural habitats in Bahrain,” the SCE representative told the GDN.
‘It is characterised by the presence of unique mangrove trees, a large number of water birds and many other organisms.
“In order to support eco tourism within the kingdom, the aim of the project is to develop the Tubli Bay reserve as a tourist landmark in Bahrain.
“Work has begun through the construction and expansion of water channels, the cultivation of mangroves and the establishment of private mangrove nurseries in co-operation with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development.”
The GDN reported in 2015 that the Capital Trustees Board had submitted a plan to develop the Tubli Bay area to boost tourism, including setting up a ferry offering sightseeing trips through scenic mangroves.
“We are indeed glad that we have the first step done, which is the cruise, and we hope the next step – which is to have more activities to attract tourists – is also considered,” said board chairman Mohammed Al Khozaie.
"Our plan on this, along with the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry, has been submitted earlier.
“The plan is to open businesses, such as restaurants, family entertainment facilities, souvenir and angling shops, on the shoreline – which could also be offered to private developers.
“The cruise is one that everyone in Bahrain should go on once, because only then will we be able to see the beautiful side of our country.
“When we go abroad we pay to see such sights and it is sad that we are ignoring such places in our own country.”
Boat trips are operating from 8am to 4pm and cost BD5 per person for the mangrove cruise, while Tubli Bay sightseeing is for a minimum group of four and costs BD20. Bookings can be made on the BTEA website at https://portal.btea.bh/Mangrove.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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