Bahrain Stable Outlook for Business Tourism in 2013-2014

Interview with Anurag Bajaj, General Manager of Elite Resort & Spa

What is the tourism outlook for 2013?

I think everybody is very optimistic about 2013. We at Elite Hospitality have forecasted revenues and average room rates and occupancies of a significantly higher percentage than 2012. There is buoyancy in the economy and investment. This brings the business travelers which is our core business. There is growing confidence of the leisure travelers from the Arab world. The fact that Manama is the tourism capital for the Arab world in 2013 is definitely a big boost for us and it is showing. The first two months have been extremely encouraging.

We covered Bahrain in 2011. There have been more tourism attractions built since then and there is a new national theatre. What are the tourist attractions that have been built over the past two years to increase tourism and make Bahrain a cultural hub in the region?

I think it’s a very good decision to come back to Bahrain in 2013 after 2011 because 2012 was a year of consolidation and strategizing while 2013 is a year of implementation for not just the private sector but the government as well. The government has piloted many projects and ensured that travelers with all fields of interest find Bahrain on their travel maps. This may be cultural; there is a new national theatre very close to Elite Resort & Spa which is just about 20 metres walk from the hotel. The theatre has been utilized effectively. It already launched a lot of events and right now the Spring of Culture is on. There are a lot of visitors from the Arab world who are visiting us for these activities.

 As far as sporting events, golfing, equestrian, and football are popular, and the GCC Cup was a big boost and a great start of 2013 for sporting enthusiasts. Bahrain almost felt like the football capital of the Arab world during that time. Now the upcoming ladies’ football tournament is definitely going to raise a lot of enthusiasm among football fans.

Apart from this, the usual weekend traffic – people who come down here for leisure or relaxation and good food and beverage experiences – definitely continues.

How has the tourism sector been affected by the financial crisis in 2008 and then later the uncertainty that surrounds Bahrain?

There have been bad days like every economy has faced but I don’t think the impact has caused irrecoverable damage. Everyone has stayed positive including the local media and government. The government has supported and encouraged the private investors, assured everyone and taken steps to keep their word. As a result, especially for the tourism sector, we are well-represented in all the travel fairs. There have been a lot of PR efforts and events that encourage travel have always been the best gestures to assure people that things are normal. International artists coming in and investors coming in have been really encouraging. The Formula 1 last year and this year will definitely ensure that Bahrain is back on everybody’s travel maps.

Have the sources of tourism changed in the past two years? Do you see more GCC tourism or international tourism? What sort of mix of tourism do you see?

At Elite Hospitality we have made a conscious effort to map the nationality mix and to continuously compare our guest profiles. We are happy to say that definitely the largest percentage of our clientele is from the Arab world – Saudi, Kuwait, Oman, and this year UAE has grown significantly. But our core business, which is the business traveler from Europe and the Americas, is growing significantly. So we have an all-around mix and everybody is coming in with a lot of aspirations for growing their business. We are seeing a lot of repeat clientele which is also very encouraging.

In terms of outlook and growth for the tourism sector in 2013, what are your predictions?

I generally feel that the 4-star segment will grow significantly. The way our hotels are positioned and the fact that we are all-suite hotels, inviting the Arab families and the long-stay business travelers, we are very sure of this. The first two months have seen growth which has surpassed our budgets. I’m sure we will see significant growth in the next quarter as well thanks to the Formula 1 and soon after Ramadan, I’m sure this winter season will see a lot of business travelers coming in.

What are some of the biggest challenges to sustainable tourism development in the Kingdom?

I think there are a fair amount of events and opportunities and reasons for people to keep traveling back to Bahrain from within the region. The biggest challenge I see is if the number of visitors grows beyond expectations, then the infrastructure at the airport for customs and visas might need to be supported adequately. I’m pretty sure the government will react pretty quickly because they’ve given us reason to believe in them in 2012 and I’m sure they will respond pretty quickly.

Please give us a short message about Elite Resort & Spa?

Elite Resort & Spa, as the name suggests, is a getaway from the city but it is the closest 4-star hotel to the airport. This is a good reason to stay in the hotel. It’s about 3 minutes drives from the main business district and 7 minutes drive from the main shopping district. That is why it appeals to everyone. It is perhaps the only hotel in the region which has a sea view from each and every room. We are blessed to have the Muharraq Bay and the sea on both sides of the hotel. As you can see, the main attraction is the poolside and our food has also encouraged a lot of families to keep coming back.

There is a growing need for proper relaxation and rejuvenation for travelers so having the island’s best spa in the hotel definitely is a big bonus for us. What differentiates one spa from another is the therapists so the fact that our spa has qualified, experienced therapists from across the world is something that is recognized and appreciated by our patrons. Not only is it the busiest spa, it also happens to be the most expensive spa on the island.