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BITE, the annual Bahrain International Travel Expo now in its fourth year, has grown beyond all expectations and will be 'bringing the world to Bahrain' by featuring 120 exhibitors from 47 countries.
Held under the patronage of Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the exhibition to be held on May 15, 16 and 17 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Sanabis and will showcase travel trends, projects, promotions, services and new world destinations.
Abraham John, executive director of Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management - MEEM, organisers of BITE, said: "Customers will get the chance to weigh up different travel options including special packages, travel fares and destinations."
Amongst the countries participating this year for the first time are Abu Dhabi, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Morocco, Spain, Sweden and Tunisia.
On the sidelines of the main exhibition a popular 'Bite the MICE' (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) programme will be staged again for the corporate sector. This programme, which was launched as a part of the second year of BITE in 2006, allows key international planners and potential venues to hold one-on-one meetings during the span of the show.
Mr John explained: "Brand Bahrain, as we call it, focuses strongly on MICE. Bahrain cannot necessarily be sold solely as a leisure destination presently but is growing as a corporate choice.
"Companies from around the world can hold exhibitions, conferences and meetings in the kingdom and specialists handling these projects are always trying to source new areas.
"The response is growing each year. In 2006, we had 58 individuals and this year we have a list of 110, a restricted number from more than 400 applications we received."
BITE continues to develop and draw in the crowds and expects to attract more than 20,000 visitors compared to 12,500 in its maiden year.
Exhibitors for the event will include airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, educational institutions, medical tourism, health resorts and spas, tour operators, hotel accommodation providers, travel insurances, tourism boards, tourism TV channels, tourist attractions, conventions and exhibitions as well as MICE organisers.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Crown Prince at 5pm on May 14 and will be open to the public from 9am to 4pm from May 15 to 17.
Entry to the exhibition is free and visitors will have the chance to win a number of raffle prizes.
