Bahrain boom

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Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, director, MICE, destination marketing & PR - Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) explains how the reduction of meetings spending is affecting business in Bahrain and plans for 2008.

What facilities or services does the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) offer for event planners?

BECA provides initial financial subsidies and marketing support for its own and third-party organised events and serves as a one-stop shop for international event organisers starting business in Bahrain.

Incentives are factored into the joint venture agreements on a case-by-case basis for as long as the international organiser commits to a minimum of five years per trade show with BECA.

How important is the meetings industry to Bahrain's tourism industry?

MICE plays a key role in the tourism infrastructure of Bahrain, whose programmes are directed at family tourism products that cater for Arab tourists in general.

Authorities in Bahrain recognise that MICE delegates from out-of-town are high-yield visitors who consistently spend more than the average tourist in the Kingdom.

According to industry studies, the estimated economic impact of a MICE event to Bahrain is US$369 per person per day.

Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions facilitate the development of industries in Bahrain and improve the reputation of Bahrain as a serious destination contender.

How do you see the meetings and incentives industry in Bahrain developing?

Bahrain joins the global trend in the MICE industry in hosting an increasing number of smaller, shorter and more business-focused meetings with shorter lead times.

In view of the uncertainties in the global economy, firm controls are being maintained by companies on their MICE-related spending.

In addition, companies are reluctant to commit their budgets until the last minute. Time-poor delegates have also expressed their need to spend more quality time with their families.

At the same time, Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIEC) has been booking more B2B exhibitions over the past two years in the light of Bahrain's strategic location and easy road access to the rich markets of the Northern Gulf such as Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

With its developed service industries and the rapid diversification and expansion of its economy, Bahrain is considered as one of the emerging business tourism destinations in the Gulf.

How do you plan to promote Bahrain as a meetings and incentives destination throughout 2008?

A key objective of BECA is to foster co-operation with its stakeholders including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Economic Development Board, Tourism Affairs and the private sector, e.g., the national carrier [Gulf Air], hotels, and destination management companies (DMCs), in order to generate business leads, materialise MICE business in Bahrain, and facilitate promotion of the exhibitions portfolio of BECA.

In arranging and conducting site inspections for highly qualified individual meeting planners who are in the process of considering Bahrain for meetings, conferences or exhibition, BECA gives individual clients an opportunity to experience Bahrain's five- and four-star hotels, restaurants, attractions and transportation systems first hand. Site tours are planned according to each client's needs and interests. Our destination-marketing department works closely with the hotels, attractions and restaurants to facilitate this process by offering services and tours free of charge.

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