Bahrain’s four-star hotels reported up to 75 per cent occupancy rates yesterday (July 28) as an influx of visitors from GCC countries gave a fresh impetus to the kingdom’s hospitality industry.

Holidaymakers  filled malls, beaches and popular holiday spots as the Eid holidays got off to a joyful start, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Hoteliers say they expect the rate to increase today as more visitors from Saudi Arabia arrive via the King Fahad Causeway.

The Bahrain Summer Festival, starting on Thursday, is also expected to encourage visitors to stay longer.

The 'Summer of Colours« festival will run until August 30 and is a melange of art, theatre, music and dance, bringing together talented artists and performers from around the world.

It will feature performances by Dora the Explorer and her friends in Dora«s Pirate Adventure, international street dance sensation Blaze, a concert by Chico and the Gypsies and internationally-acclaimed Iraqi singer, musician and composer Ilham Al Madfai.

Luxury hotels in Bahrain have reported a surge in business while occupancy levels at small hotels dropped drastically due recent measures taken by the Tourism Directorate.

"The occupancy rate in most four-star hotels in Bahrain on the first day of Eid was between 65 to 75 per cent," said Four Star Hotels committee chairman Hameed Al Halwachi yesterday.

He told the GDN the industry was benefiting from the Eid holidays followed by a weekend, which meant increased business for taxi drivers, tourist guides, restaurants and shops.

"We expect the rate to increase to 85 per cent today, but this depends on the number of Saudi visitors, who would like to even spend the weekend in Bahrain," he said.

"What we are lacking is proper plans and facilities to promote Bahrain as a destination for family tourism."

Gulf Hotels Group chief executive officer and board member Aqeel Raees reported 90 per cent to 95 per cent occupancy rates on the first day of Eid, which are expected to reach 100 per cent on the second and third days and during the weekend, with restaurants fully booked.

Golden Tulip general manager Abdulraheem Al Sayed said the hotel recorded 100 per cent occupancy as people poured in from neighbouring countries to celebrate the holiday. He urged the Tourism Directorate to avail of the opportunity by providing attractive offers and entertainment to draw more tourists.

The average occupancy levels at the Crowne Plaza Hotel are expected to reach 75 per cent, said deputy general manger Ibrahim Al Kooheji.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel and Spa sales and marketing manager Sofian Al Alam said the hotel is fully booked until the weekend.

However, a three-star hotel owner speaking on condition of anonymity said they were affected badly by the Culture Ministry's decision to ban alcohol, nightclubs and live entertainment in three-star properties.

"This decision has come at a time when hotels were expecting to get good business from the Saudi visitors," he said.

Small hotels have only recorded a maximum of 10 per cent to 25 per cent occupancy, investors told our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej. "Most customers just ask about musical bands and alcohol and then leave," they said. – TradeArabia News Service