March 2019 51 www.bahrainthismonth.com commercebusinessbites The Kingdom’s own Gulf Hotels Group is exporting Bahraini hospitality with the opening of its first UAE property, Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay in Dubai. After a soft opening some months ago, the official launch was held under the patronage of HH Dr Shaikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, who was vice chairman of Gulf Hotels Group in 1995/96 and chairman from 1997 to 1999. The four-star property has 270 rooms and suites as well as two luxury penthouse suites. Guests can also enjoy Club Lounge benefits, business centre, swimming pool, gym and a choice of six dining options that include Café Délices, Al Waha Restaurant, Naisa Oriental Restaurant, Sports On 4, The Canal Lounge and The Other Office Karaoke. Garfield Jones, Gulf Hotels Group CEO, said: “The opening of Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay represents the first step in the group’s strategy to expand hospitality operations into the MENA region, and we are aiming to follow up with further expansion both in the UAE and neighbouring GCC countries.” Bahraini Hospitality in UAE In line with its efforts to attract tourists from across the world, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) officially inaugurated its latest representative office in Kuwait. “The BTEA strives to promote the Kingdom of Bahrain’s tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors, providing a fertile ground for foreign investment. Through the inauguration of our representative office in Kuwait, we aim to establish relationships with Kuwaiti tour operators and travel agencies in order to promote Bahrain as a leading tourist destination that continuously hosts various events and festivals that are suitable for all age groups,” said BTEA CEO, HE Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa. Bahrain welcomed 328,850 visitors from Kuwait in 2018 with 247,959 tourists accessing the Kingdom through the King Fahad Causeway, 80,822 through Bahrain International Airport and 69 through the Khalifa Bin Salman Port. Other than Kuwait, the BTEA has also launched representative offices in the Saudi Arabia, India, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom. Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is marking the start of 2019 with a strategy to expand in the GCC market. The plan includes opening six new hotels across Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC markets, in a step counted as a first of its kind for the group’s growth in this region. “The GCC is one of the most increasingly important markets for our portfolio, and we are delighted to introduce our unique brand of Thaiinspired, gracious hospitality in new destinations in this market,” said Prateek Kumar, regional VP – EMEA region. Among the Dusit hotels slated to open in the GCC this year are: Dusit Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach, Budaiya, Bahrain; and dusitD2 City Centre Bahrain. Thai Group Coming to Bahrain BTEA Launches Kuwait Office
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