The sixth Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE), the first business to consumer (B2C) travel and tourism event in the region, will open tomorrow (May 13).

The three-day event, at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, is being held under the patronage of Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Culture and Information.

Jamil Wafa, group founder and executive chairman of Magnum Holdings, the parent company of Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM) which organises BITE, said at a Press conference that this year’s show will have 90 exhibitors. Around 15,000 people are expected to visit the show over the three days (till May 15).

Wafa said representatives from around 30 countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt and Japan will be in attendance in comparison to the 40 which participated last year. Malta will be participating in the show for the first time.

He agreed that it is hard to match the numbers of exhibitors and hosted buyers attending the show in previous years. “This is purely down to the economic situation as people have restraints on their budgets,” he explained.

“BITE is a commitment we have made to Bahrain and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who supported the exhibition since its inception. We will continue with our commitment despite the challenges. The show must go on,” said Wafa.

“Several leading regional and international companies are participating in a big way and there is no compromise on the quality of the show,” he added.

Wafa paid tribute to Shaikha Mai saying she has extended BITE the full support of the ministry which will be hosting a workshop for hosted buyers and local travel and tourism professionals as well as a welcome gala dinner for all the hosted buyers, international exhibitors and the travel trade.

At the workshop, Dr Heba Aziz, executive director and advisor, tourism affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Information, will present a paper on  ‘Bahrain . . . small is beautiful’  and Ashwini Kakkar, executive vice chairman, Mercury Travel India will talk on ‘India  Outbound’.

Wafa paid tribute to Akbar Al Baker, chairman of Qatar Airways, who will be visiting the show to participate in a press conference on the airline’s ongoing expansion plans.

“Mr Al Baker makes the effort to come personally and we are very grateful for that,” said Wafa. “It is good to have someone of his stature at BITE showing his support.”

BITE offers an 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 consumers and international Mice buyers under one roof.

There are many cultural surprises and attractions planned for the BITE stage extravaganza. Exhibitors have prepared special activities including national dance shows and musical performances.

BITE 2010 offers a great opportunity for travellers to discover a wide range of promotions and special deals which exhibitors have on offer.

In a bid to promote tourism to Bahrain, BITE is once again organising its hosted buyers programme for key international planners. This year, the expo has invited 35 hosted buyers from China, India and Russia, said MEEM senior advisor Hisham Al Baradie.

The hosted buyers will have the chance to experience first-hand the excellent conference and hospitality venues Bahrain has to offer, check out the facilities at Bahrain International Circuit and also become acquainted with the various cultural and historical attractions in the kingdom, he said.

Tamkeen, along with Bahrain Training Institute (The Travel Academy), will participate in the expo to highlight the role of the Labour Fund in supporting the private sector and the tourism industry in particular.

Tamkeen is co-sponsoring small and medium enterprises (SME) in the travel and tourism sector to benefit from the Growth Assistance Programme (GAP) which is designed to support SMEs to be sustainable and increase the reach of their products and services, by participating in BITE.

The newly formed Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) is BITE’s platinum sponsor, Qatar Airways the gold sponsor and Gulf Air the official carrier.

BITE is actively supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information, ABTTA (Association of Bahrain Travel and Tours Agents) and the Capital Governorate. Elite Hospitality is the official hotel, Avenue Car Rental & Leasing is taking care of ground transportation and TTN (Travel & Tourism News Middle East) and Al Hilal Group are the media partners with Radio Voice as the official radio channel. – TradeArabia News Service