Blueprints have been drawn up to build beach-side cabanas, recreational facilities, restaurants and souvenir shops at Hawar Islands in a bid to attract domestic tourism.

The Southern Municipal Council wants to promote the islands as a family destination for Bahrainis and has referred the proposal to the ministries concerned for approval, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It features seaside huts, family-oriented developments and activities and a revamp to the existing Al Dur Jetty, which will include restaurants, diving merchandise outlets and souvenir shops.

The project follows a BD10 million ($27 million) renovation of the Hawar Islands Resort, part of the Best Western International chain of hotels, that was opened in May this year and includes a seaplane service.

New water sport facilities are also due to start by the end of the year, marking the end the first phase of the upgrade.

Work will then move into the second phase, which involves construction of a new hotel wing, 50 chalets, a seafood restaurant and a multi-purpose hall within the next three years.

'It is our duty to attract visitors to Hawar Islands and it is not just for foreign tourists, but even locals,' said outgoing council chairman Mohsin Al Bakri.

'Foreigners are already coming for their holidays and are ready to spend, but there are Bahraini families who want to enjoy the islands' beauty and at the same time use public facilities.

'The work done by the hotel's management and that planned in future is excellent, but it is of a touristic nature and for those who can afford it.

'Our blueprints target locals as it will see the setting up of public arish (huts) besides family rest areas and recreational facilities, similar to those in a public park.'

Al Bakri, who is running for parliament in today's national elections, said investors behind the resort would also benefit if more Bahrainis spend weekends on the islands.

'They will end up staying in the hotel and eating from its restaurants since there are no public facilities,' he said.

'It is a gain for all when there are some free services offered by the government.'

Al Bakri said urgent renovations should also be carried out on jetties where speedboats and ferries set off to the islands.

'There are trips to the islands from Al Fateh Corniche, which already has a lot of facilities but still needs a revamp, and from Durrat Al Bahrain, which we have no power over, and from Al Dur, which is an ugly jetty that needs extensive work,' he explained.

'In time, after proper planning is done, Al Dur will have restaurants, diving merchandise and souvenir shops built to give the place a more pleasant look.'

The GDN had reported that Al Namal and VKL Group of Companies last year signed a lease agreement with the Southern Area Development Company, which is owned jointly by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the Social Insurance Organisation and Eskan Bank, to lease, operate and manage the Hawar Islands hotel facilities.

The resort will offer a variety of activities from beach buggy rides to water sport, including jet skis and paddle boats.

In addition to operating a seaplane service, there are also plans to add two luxury boats to take visitors on the 20km journey from Bahrain's mainland to the Hawar Islands, which are located on the southeast part, said the report.

Sixteen fully serviced apartments have been built for staff at the resort and talks are underway with Bahraini fishermen, who could sell their fresh catch to tourists.

The Hawar Islands are home to more than 250,000 birds and rare marine species and wildlife, such as dugongs, it added.-TradeArabia News Service