Innovative holiday packages from regional airlines, travel agencies and hotels will attract more visitors to the Bahrain International Travel Exhibition (BITE) this year, say organizers.

Despite the current economic downturn and the resultant slight decrease in the number of exhibitors, BITE 2009 will offer quality travel and tourism products and services, said Jamil Wafa, founder and group chairman, Magnum Holding, the parent company of Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM), the organizer of the show. He was addressing a Press conference at the Gulf Hotel in Bahrain.

BITE 2009, a Business to Consumers (B2C) travel and tourism event, will be held from May 14 to 16 under the patronage of Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

BITE has grown over the past five years from the inaugural show in 2005 with 14 countries, 40 exhibitors, 1,100 sq m area and 12,500 visitors to 44 countries, 120 exhibitors, 8,000 sq m space and 18,000 visitors in 2008.

“We expect to have around 100 exhibitors from approximately 40 countries to be part of BITE 2009 occupying an area of 6,500 sq m. More than 20,000 visitors, mainly from Bahrain and other Gulf states, will take part in the show,” said Wafa.

BITE 2009 will be participated by a cross section of travel related businesses including airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, health resorts and spas, hotels, medical tourism provides, MICE organisers, tourism boards and tour operators.

Many exhibitors will present special activities including national dances, music and other performances as part of the cultural treat at the show.

About 50 carefully chosen hosted MICE buyers will have a chance to experience Bahrain and its various facilities, said Mr Wafa.

Bahrain’s Tamkeen (Labour Fund) will support the participation of 10 small and medium sized travel agencies in the show through its Growth Assistance Programme (GAP).

Egypt Tourism will put up an impressive stand to promote the country's history and heritage and a 35-member high-profile delegation from Egypt, led by the Tourism Minister Zuhair Garana, will participate in the expo.

Karim F Sherif, Deputy Head of Mission, Egyptian Embassy; Ahmed Ali Al Nawakda, Assistant Under Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Information; Abdulellah Al Qassimi, Chief Executive, Tamkeen; and Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, Deputy Chief Executive, Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) expressed their support to the event, at the Press conference.

Hisham Al Baradie, chairman, and Abraham John, executive director, of MEEM were also present. 

The Platinum Sponsors of BITE 2009 are Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and Etihad Airways. Qatar Airways is the Gold Sponsor and Gulf Air, the official carrier. BITE is actively supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Capital Governorate and Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority. Al Hilal Group is the Media Partners. - TradeArabia News Service