The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has unveiled plans for the upcoming 2023-2024 cruise ship season aimed at expanding its visitor base and enhancing the overall tourist experience aboard ships.
These plans involve the introduction of five new cruise ships that will dock at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port. The cruise ship lineup for the season includes; Windstar Cruise, Le Bougainville, Norwegian Dawn, MSC Cruise, and Adia Cruise, along with several luxury cruise ships catering to the business class.
This announcement was made during BTEA's participation in the Seatrade Cruise Europe Exhibition and Conference, an annual event that brings together professionals in the cruise industry to discuss current trends and challenges, showcase innovations, and network with peers.
The conference took place in Hamburg, Germany, bringing together key figures in the sector, which included leading tourism companies, tour operators, decision-makers from various cruise and river tourism companies, as well as, European authorities.
Commenting on this successful participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Nasser Qaedi, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said: "Our involvement in Seatrade Cruise Europe has allowed us to strengthen Bahrain's standing as a unique tourist destination. We've showcased our array of marine tourism attractions and the wealth of diverse experiences it offers."
"We invite interested parties to explore these opportunities through close collaboration with our partners in the Kingdom's ports."
Dr. Qaedi further affirmed that the upcoming cruise ship season is set to commence in October and run through April 2024. During this period, approximately 47 ships are scheduled to visit.
"We stress BTEA’s dedication to actively engage in international conferences and exhibitions and establishing partnerships with prominent cruise ship companies.
These efforts are aimed at cultivating mutually beneficial relationships and providing strong incentives for these companies to incorporate Bahrain into their upcoming cruise itineraries, providing exceptional maritime accommodations for travelers."
This strategic approach according to Dr. Qaedi is expected to substantially increase tourist arrivals in the Kingdom, resulting in a notable doubling of tourism sector revenues and a considerable uplift in its contribution to the national economy.
Participating in the exhibition provided BTEA with an opportunity to present, to a distinguished audience, the unparalleled experiences available within the Bahrain Marine Travel Market. It also served as an encouragement for cruise operators planning trips across the Arabian Gulf to consider Bahrain as a central hub for cruise tourism. Bahrain is committed to collaborating with its partners to enhance the maritime travel experience, promote diversity, and elevate the overall standards of the industry
Source: Bahrain News Agency
