Bahrain's potential as a tourism destination of international standing is set to be realised in the near future, said Culture and Information Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

'The government has been doing a lot to ensure the world comes to Bahrain and we are already seeing a lot of progress towards that end,' she said while opening the sixth edition of the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE 2010) yesterday.

The three-day event organised by Magnum Events & Exhibitions Management (MEEM), at Bahrain International Convention and Exhibition Centre, is being held under the minister's patronage.

Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi, diplomats, officials and guests attended the opening ceremony.

'We are very encouraged with shows like BITE,' Dr Al Alawi said. 'These bring professionals from all over the world to our country who, in turn, take a lot back to their nations.'

He said BITE had attracted the attention of tourism professionals from around the world. 'Hopefully, we shall continue to have a lot of progress and would like to see more private sector participation in similar events,' Dr Al Alawi added.

Magnum Holdings Group founder and MEEM executive chairman Jamil Wafa said he had always been confident BITE could beat the global credit crunch in its sixth year.

'There were concerns that there would not be a good show, in keeping with the depressed economic climate,' he said. 'But the attendance and the enthusiastic response have shown that my confidence was not unfounded,' he said.

'There is a general depression in the market when people are not spending enough and not may people want to invest in travelling overseas but we are already seeing the markets are looking up,' Wafa said.

Ninety exhibitors from 30 countries are taking part in the event, compared to more than 100 from 40 countries last year.

Wafa said organisers expected more than 15,000 people to attend.  'We may have a few more or less but that will be less than the more than 18,000 we had last year.'

Wafa earlier said BITE was a commitment made to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Economic Development Board chairman, who has supported the exhibition since its inception.

Culture and Information Ministry tourism adviser Dr Heba Abdul Aziz, Association of Bahrain Tour and Travel Agents (ABTTA) chairman Sufiyan Almoayed and MEEM senior adviser Hisham Al Baradie also attended the opening.

Bahrain Airport Company is the show's platinum sponsor, while Qatar Airways is gold sponsor. Gulf Air is the BITE official carrier.

The event is supported by the Culture and Information Ministry, ABTTA and the Capital Governorate.

Elite Hospitality is the official hotel, Avenue Car Rental and Leasing is looking after the ground transportation and TTN (Travel & Tourism News Middle East) and Al Hilal Group are media partners, while Radio Voice is the official radio channel.

Entry is free and the show is open today from 4pm to 10pm and tomorrow from 10am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 10pm. - TradeArabia News Service