Efforts are being stepped up to attract more tourists from Azerbaijan to Bahrain.
Proposals to showcase the country’s archaeological, cultural, sports and educational aspects were mapped out during the three-day Intra Tourism Forum between Bahrain and Azerbaijan, which ended in Baku yesterday.
Visitors
The forum was attended by representatives from 130 travel agencies, mainly from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman which come under an alliance represented by Bahrain Holidays – a firm that organises group tours for GCC visitors across the world.
It comes as Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, operates five weekly flights to Baku, Azerbaijan.
During the forum held at Burj Sahil Baku, Bahrain Holidays managing director and chief executive Mahmood Al Kadhem said members of the private sector have to play a bigger role in supporting the government’s tourism initiatives.
“We see Azerbaijan as a strong market and attracting Azerbaijanis to Bahrain throughout the year should be our aim,” he told the GDN.
“The existing scenario in which empty flights come to Bahrain from Baku and then leave full of GCC nationals needs to change into a two-way traffic.
“We need to support the government’s tourism initiatives by having a bigger role as members of the private sector.
“We need to work to expand with more comprehensive itineraries and packages that are attractive and interesting should we move to get tourists from across the world, mainly Eastern European countries.
“We are starting with Azerbaijan and later on Georgia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan among others.”
Mr Al Kadhem, who is also co-owner of Al Kadhem Tours, revealed that during the forum agreements were in the negotiation phase with their Azerbaijani counterparts.
“We have three interesting World Heritage Sites – Bahrain Fort, the Pearl Route and the Dilmun Burial Mounds,” he added.
“Azerbaijanis want to visit these besides national archaeological sites that they would be interested in like Samaheej’s Christian discovery and others.
“Promoting Bahrain as a wedding destination is not only targeting the Indian subcontinent, but Azerbaijanis as well, which is in the works.”
Scubalife Bahrain owner Mohammed Al Jassim also highlighted the rise in maritime sports in Bahrain which has attracted international interest following the launch of Dive Bahrain – the world’s largest underwater theme park.
Attractions
Dive Bahrain comprises a submerged 70-metre long Boeing 747, which is the first attraction in the 100,000sqm underwater theme park.
The next phase of the project will include several structures such as a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house, artificial coral reefs and other sculptures that will be built and submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and a habitat for sustainable marine life.
“We have general diving, pearl diving and water sports and our schedule is busy throughout the year, especially now with Dive Bahrain,” said Mr Al Jassim.
“Sea activities come first as international tourist attractions, according to studies, and the government is helping us develop and grow in what we present and showcase.
“But travel agencies need to take a role in supporting us by attracting more tourists to Bahrain – there is a misconception that Bahrain could be covered in one day but that’s wrong as one maritime activity could take an entire day and there are tens of them in our country.”
Also speaking at the forum was Azerbaijan Tourism Board Middle East regional manager Leyla Mahmudova, who said Bahrain has a special uniqueness that appeals to tourists.
Uniqueness
During the forum, Mr Al Kadhem also met Azerbaijan’s Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfez Garayev and members of the Bahraini and Azerbaijani media.
“We are interested very much in what Bahrain offers whether it is culture, heritage and tourism in general,” said Mr Garayev.
“The tourist flow between both countries is something we are very keen to expand and build on.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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