Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), which manages the Bahrain International Airport, will support an upcoming travel event in Bahrain as a platinum sponsor.

Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE 2010), a major business-to-consumers travel and tourism event in the region, will be held in Bahrain from May 13 to 15 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The sponsorship agreement was signed between Jamil Wafa, founder and executive chairman of Magnum Holding, parent company of event organiser Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (Meem) and Dr Osama Al Ali, BAC chief executive.

"BITE will be a platform to showcase the direction we are taking to transform Bahrain International Airport into a world-class aviation hub and strengthen its contribution to Bahrain's economy and travel industry," Dr Al Ali said.

Wafa said that several leading regional and international companies are participating in a big way and there will be no compromise on the quality of the show.

"BITE will remain the right gathering of the right company, meeting the right people, at the right time - and a place where great minds meet,” Wafa added.

He said the event offers the ideal forum for the coming together of reputed and international operators from a cross-section of travel related businesses from airlines, car rental companies, conventions and exhibitions, cruise lines, health resorts and spas, hotel accommodation providers, medical tourism, MICE organisers, tourist attractions, tourism boards, tour operators, travel insurance and travel and tourism publications to interact with around 15,000 consumers and international MICE buyers under one roof.

"The event has grown over the past five years from a show in 2005 with 14 countries, 40 exhibitors, 1,100 sq m area to around 90 exhibitors from approximately 30 countries to be part of BITE 2010 occupying an area of 7,000 sq m," he added.

Qatar Airways is the gold sponsor of the event and Gulf Air is the official carrier.

"BITE is supported by the Culture and Information Ministry, Association of Bahrain Travel and Tours Agents and the Capital Governorate," said Wafa.

Elite Hospitality is the official hotel, Avenue Car Rental and Leasing provides the ground transportation and Travel and Tourism News Middle East and Al Hilal Group are the media partners. – TradeArabia News Service