BAHRAIN must develop its hospitality sector as it attempts to recover from the unrest, says a leading hotelier.
Business and leisure travel growth is expected to continue, but more investment is needed to keep pace with the competition, said InterContinental Regency Bahrain general manager James McDonald.
"The majority of our business comes from GCC and Europe," he told Travel Talk magazine.
"It is vitally important that we do not lose sight of these important overseas markets."
Bahrain's hospitality industry was one of the main casualties of the unrest, but Mr McDonald is confident the country can overcome its troubles.
"I believe the outlook for Bahrain is very bright," said the former general manager of the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, who has worked for the InterContinental Hotels Group for 32 years.
"The city is already one of the Gulf's main commercial hubs and is still growing.
"There are many new commercial office buildings and hotels under construction and once these are open they will significantly contribute to the country's growth.
Advantage
"Bahrain's location near eastern Saudi Arabia is a major advantage as with the Eastern province experiencing strong growth and investment many companies, which are involved in this development, will headquarter in Bahrain.
"The year-round sun will continue to attract the European market and I expect this to return to normal levels very soon with growth returning shortly after."
The InterContinental Regency Bahrain reopened in March after closing its doors for the first time to complete a multi-million dinar renovation project that took 11-months.
Mr McDonald said the hotel's modern look and improved technology had helped it bring in more business people and tourists.
"The Middle East region continues to be our main market, followed by the UK and the US," he said.
"We did, however, see a significant jump in business from the Asian market which is encouraging. "Our main focus because of our location is the business travel market, but we are seeing a big increase in the number of leisure travellers to the hotel."
Business and leisure travel growth is expected to continue, but more investment is needed to keep pace with the competition, said InterContinental Regency Bahrain general manager James McDonald.
"The majority of our business comes from GCC and Europe," he told Travel Talk magazine.
"It is vitally important that we do not lose sight of these important overseas markets."
Bahrain's hospitality industry was one of the main casualties of the unrest, but Mr McDonald is confident the country can overcome its troubles.
"I believe the outlook for Bahrain is very bright," said the former general manager of the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, who has worked for the InterContinental Hotels Group for 32 years.
"The city is already one of the Gulf's main commercial hubs and is still growing.
"There are many new commercial office buildings and hotels under construction and once these are open they will significantly contribute to the country's growth.
Advantage
"Bahrain's location near eastern Saudi Arabia is a major advantage as with the Eastern province experiencing strong growth and investment many companies, which are involved in this development, will headquarter in Bahrain.
"The year-round sun will continue to attract the European market and I expect this to return to normal levels very soon with growth returning shortly after."
The InterContinental Regency Bahrain reopened in March after closing its doors for the first time to complete a multi-million dinar renovation project that took 11-months.
Mr McDonald said the hotel's modern look and improved technology had helped it bring in more business people and tourists.
"The Middle East region continues to be our main market, followed by the UK and the US," he said.
"We did, however, see a significant jump in business from the Asian market which is encouraging. "Our main focus because of our location is the business travel market, but we are seeing a big increase in the number of leisure travellers to the hotel."
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