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Bahrain is determined to woo back a cruiseline company which has snubbed the kingdom after its passengers were involved in an embarrassing taxi fare ruckus following a maiden voyage to the Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
Royal Caribbean International Cruises (RCIC) has dropped the island as a destination for its 2,501-guest ship Brilliance of the Seas although it is planning to increase the number of cruises. It will replace a stopover in Bahrain with an overnight stay in Oman.
Red-faced Bahrain officials were stunned when scores of passengers fled back to the liner after being confronted by pushy taxi drivers proposing extortionate fares for trips into Manama.
The government took immediate action and 10 police officers and two staff members of Mathias Tourism Company were deployed as intermediaries between the taxis and the tourists.
But despite their efforts the damage was already done, according to visitor feedback.
Citing different issues faced by its passengers with rogue taxi-drivers and the distance between the port and city centre, Helen Beck, regional director, International Representatives, Europe, Middle East, Africa of RCIC, said: "We have adjusted the itinerary based on our customer and trade partner feedback and replaced Bahrain with an overnight stay in Muscat."
RCIC's Helen Beck said: "We had quite a lot of negativity from the UK guests in particular. We're speaking to the tourism department in Bahrain and taking the feedback to pieces.
"There are an awful lot of things to do and see. We're working very closely to get the issues resolved and get them (Bahrain) back into the programme as soon as possible."
However, the Tourism Sector of the Government of Bahrain said that the decision came without warning and it is deeply disappointed to learn that the RCIC has decided, 'unilaterally and with no prior warning', to pull out of Bahrain.
It also said that the issues raised by RCIC with the Tourism Sector focused on the distance of the port from the city and the recent increase in port charges and that the matter was being discussed with the immigration authorities.
Almost 15,000 tourists visited Bahrain in the 13 port calls made by the Brilliance of the Seas this season with approximately 30,000 tourists on board. This represents 18 per cent of the total cruise traffic to the kingdom.
Two hundred and eight complaints were received by the cruise liner on various issues and this number had dropped to five by the end of the season.
The statement also said: "In the judgement of the Tourism Sector the arbitrary unilateral decision to withdraw from an established market runs the risk of reputation and economic damage to both the company and the destination. We remain confident however, that the strong bilateral ties between Bahrain and the US will provide a route through which this current dispute can be constructively resolved."
Richard Mathias, managing director of Mathias Tourism Company, said that although RCIC is not the only company making port calls, it was important to the kingdom and the decision was a setback to Bahrain's growing tourism industry.
He added: "Most of the issues raised by RCIC were addressed during the season. The decision is unfortunate as it has been taken without consulting anybody. I think it is uncalled for and is damaging to Bahrain's reputation.
"I believe port charges could have been discussed and I am sure the port authorities could have reconsidered the charges. The distance from the port might seem big but it is a not an issue as it only takes just 20 minutes to reach Manama's souq."
