Bahrain, the island nation, has been promoting itself as a short-haul destination for the Indian market with focus on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) and weddings. Surrounded by water, this Middle Eastern country is trying to attract large international MICE groups and cement their position as a MICE destination.
Bahrain, famous for its pearl fisheries, is one of the first Middle-East nations to discover oil and also the fastest growing economy in the Gulf region. The kingdom is an amalgamation of its historic legacy dating back nearly 5,000 years and the modern Arab culture. The cluster of 33 islands in the heart of the Gulf, well-connected by flights from the important metros of India, is trying to place itself as an attractive MICE destination for the Indian market with its various lucrative offerings. With its upcoming Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre, they are aiming to attract large international exhibitions too.
With this objective in mind, Bahrain has been organising visits to India in order to tap the lucrative market. One such visit was organised during the latest edition of SATTE held in Delhi, where Bahrain promoted itself as a MICE and wedding destination. Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority (BTEA) advisor Ali Hassan Follad spoke about the historical relationship between Bahrain and India through trade and also the shared heritage.
“We became very successful in our effort to first promote Bahrain as a wedding destination in India. This opened the other aspects of the Indian tourism market for us which is MICE. There is big potential to exploit India’s MICE segment. We are getting orders and enquiries, on a weekly basis, from companies through their agents as well as for groups and leisure. When Indian families, weddings and their guests or MICE groups come to Bahrain they feel at home and they become our tourism ambassador once back,” he said.
With an easy e-visa facility and a flying time of just four hours, Bahrain is a short-haul destination for Indian travellers. The world-class five-star hotels and resorts with their warm hospitality and international level infrastructure, spacious banquet and conference halls, even outdoor setups at scenic locations for events ranging from intimate to large-scale are available for the MICE groups. Also while one may enjoy the gastronomical delights of Bahrain, the hotels also have Indian chefs to cater to the demands of Indian food during the MICE event.
Bahrain, along with its attractions of natural beauty and historical monuments, also has a list of indoor and outdoor activities to keep the tourists involved the whole day. While the Bahrain Pearling Trail or Bahrain Pearling Pathway and the Bahrain Fort are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit in the country, Al Fateh Mosque, Muharraq City, Bahrain National Museum and House of Quran are a few other cultural attractions to visit.
From go-karting to Land Rover experience, from quad bike driving to gravity indoor skydiving, Bahrain has an extensive list of adventure activities. The Bahrain Grand Prix Formula One championship held at the Bahrain International Circuit is also a must-watch. There are also options of pearl diving and island hopping. One can also visit the Albandar island or the Hawar island or bird-watching or visit the Jarada island, which appears and disappears with tides.
An exotic location in its own, Bahrain is also a paradise for shoppers. There are many luxury malls in Manama, the capital city where one can get access to several international and premium brands. For a more local experience, one can make a quick detour to the local souqs and find some local trinkets like pearls, which Bahrain is famous for and also do a little souvenir shopping. Bahrain also has a happening nightlife scene on offer for the visitors.
With so much on offer and so many facilities for the Indian market, Bahrain is well placed to position itself in the Indian market.
