BTEA welcomes Russian tourists

Manama, Oct. 27 (BNA): In line with its efforts to attract tourists from all around the world, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) welcomed more than 200 tourists who have arrived on the first chartered flight from Russia. The flight, which is being operated by the world's leading travel and tourism company, Coral Travel, arrived on Friday, October 26, 2018. The tourists were welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of BTEA, H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa and the Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Company, Mr. Mohammed Al Binfalah. On this occasion, the BTEA welcomed the passengers with a traditional live performance, giving them a glimpse of Bahrain's long history and the hospitality of its people. The chartered flight from Russia is the first within a charter program operated by Coral Travel. The flights, scheduled twice a week, carries 220 passengers who will be staying in 30 different hotels in Bahrain and is expected to contribute $18 million to the Kingdom’s economy. “It gives us great pleasure to receive Coral Travel's first chartered flight from Moscow and we hope the visitors enjoy their stay in the Kingdom. The BTEA’s collaboration with Coral Travel comes in line with its strategy which aims to promote the Kingdom's tourist attractions and introduce tourists to the rich history of Bahrain as well as showcase the tourism facilities that the Kingdom has to offer, further developing the Kingdom’s tourism sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy,” said the CEO of BTEA, H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa. “We would like to thank our partners in Bahrain, including the Ministry of Interior, Bahrain Airport Company, the Ministry of Transportation and Bahrain Airport Services for facilitating the procedures, thus contributing to the development of the tourism sector and raising awareness on the Kingdom’s diverse offerings that make it an ideal tourist destination. The BTEA’s representative offices have played an integral role in increasing the number of inbound tourists,” he added. A chartered flight is the business of a travel agency renting an entire aircraft as opposed to individual aircraft seats. Numerous travel agencies focus mostly on chartered flights and packages for tourists which include accommodation, meals and entertainment.