Bahraini.TV

Ministers summoned over ‘immoral tourism’

Manama Four ministers have been summoned to appear before a parliamentary committee investigating alleged immoral activities in Bahrain’s tourism sector.
The ministers of interior, culture and information, municipality affairs and industry and commerce will on Monday present their views to the five-member committee formed last week by the lower house.
The committee looked into charges of malpractices [...]

Bahrain restores pearls of its heritage

Natural pearls from Bahrain once fetched the highest prices among western jewellers, prompting the likes of Jacques Cartier to visit the small Gulf state to procure them. In its heyday in the early 1900s, the pearl industry employed an estimated 17,500 people and was the lynchpin of the Bahraini economy.
These days, pearling is all-but extinct [...]

Officials facing bribery charges

Six tourism officials are among 17 men who will appear before a Bahrain court in two months for their involvement in a major corruption scandal, it emerged yesterday.
The six Bahrainis, who work for the Culture and Information Ministry’s Tourism Directorate, are accused of accepting bribes from investors of hotels outlets to turn a blind eye [...]

Bahrain’s allure extends beyond alcohol

This tiny Gulf island nation is sick of its reputation as a seedy off-shore Las Vegas and a hotspot of sin for Saudis, so it’s starting to rein in the booze. Already it’s flooded with Saudis looking for tamer fare they can’t get at home in their ultraconservative kingdom – Hannah Montana and heavy metal.
The [...]

Present Strength, Future Directions

Bahrain’s tourism industry looks set to consolidate its already strong position at the heart of the Kingdom’s economy, though there is some debate as to what direction the sector should take.
According to the latest study by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector will contribute around $1.7bn to Bahrain’s economy this year, representing [...]

Gulf travel agents form lobby group

Travel agency associations from the Gulf signed an agreement Tuesday to form a joint lobby group with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, to promote and protect their interests as the region expands its tourism industries.
Representatives from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait and Sharjah have joined the newly formed Gulf Travel Association, which will be headed by [...]

Upon Sober Reflection, Bahrain Reconsiders the Wages of Sin

Island Reliant Upon Debauched Visits From Thirsty Saudis Looks to Clean Up
Every weekend, bumper-to-bumper traffic blocks the causeway into this small island nation as visitors from nearby Saudi Arabia flock to delights unavailable at home: movie theaters, bars and, for some, commercial sex.
With few other attractions, Bahrain’s booming tourism industry thrives on the island’s reputation [...]

Gulf poised to approve single GCC-wide visa

Gulf Cooperation Council immigration chiefs are expected to approve a single visa application system for Gulf states, Kuwait’s immigration chief said.
The visa will enable visitors to tour all of the six GCC member countries, Kuwaiti General Administration for Immigration Director-General Kamel al-Awadhi told the Kuwait news agency KUNA on Sunday.
Gulf states will also adopt an [...]

Waterfront City

A multi-million dinar “waterfront city” in Seef will include luxury homes, shops and leisure facilities, according to the company behind the project.

Marsa Al Seef is being billed as one of the country’s most exclusive addresses and will cover an area of 26 million square feet.

Meter running for taxi cheats

A new government-backed taxi service designed to eradicate cheating on fares will hit Bahrain’s roads in December, officials confirmed yesterday.
It will operate custom-made, metered vehicles, fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and connected electronically to a control centre, to ensure passengers are not overcharged.
All will have wheelchair access, said Economic Development Board deputy chief [...]

Bahrain: Cruise Control

Bahrain is looking to capitalise on the growing number of cruises in the Gulf, with the aim of promoting the island state as a tourism destination, boosting employment and diversifying the economy.

Dhow survivors reject payout

Survivors of the Al Dana dhow disaster have condemned as “disgusting” a BD500 compensation offer from the vessel’s owner. A group of British, South African and Indian Nass, Murray and Roberts employees received the proposal from Abdulla Al Kobaisi via their lawyer.
The 15 workers raised a joint action against the Bahraini owner of the vessel [...]

Tourism blueprint a high priority

Bahrain has pledged to catch up with its free-spending neighbours in a bid to re-establish itself as one of the region’s top tourist destinations.
A dedicated team has already developed a roadmap for the future of Bahrain’s tourism industry and a new tourism development board is due to be launched later this year, said Economic Development [...]

BITE exhibition opens

Bahrain will soon unveil a new national strategy to tap into the global tourism market.The aim is to turn the country into a major destination, Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa declared yesterday.
A committee in charge of developing the plan will soon present the first draft to the relevant organisations [...]

BD150m project gets go-ahead

The BD150 million Gilgamesh Island project off Muharraq got the go-ahead yesterday, after councillors who originally objected missed the vote. The project, which is expected to be completed in five years, will be located west of the Muharraq Coastguard.
It will feature a 40-storey tower building, housing complex, villas, chalets, harbour, marine museum and cinema complex.
Muharraq [...]