Arrival of German Ship Marks Beginning of Cruise Season in Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise ship season officially began in the Kingdom of Bahrain as the German cruise ship AIDA BLU arrived at Khalifa bin Salman Port.

The AIDA BLU's 2,400 tourists and 640 crew members were met by Bahrain's Assistant Undersecretary of Tourism, Nada Ahmed Yaseen, and a delegation from the Ministry of Culture's Tourism Sector – which organized a special reception for the visitors that included a display of products unique to Bahrain, handmade crafts, and a local folklore band.

"Improving and developing the quality of services offered to tourists is considered one of the most important aspects which helps activate and develop the tourism sector and attract more tourists and visitors to the kingdom, generating significant revenue for the concerned sectors and the national economy as a whole," Yaseen told Bahrain News Agency.

Beyond the exhibit of local culture, the tourists were given a tour of the country, visiting sites such as the Bahrain Fort, National Museum, Al-Fateh Mosque, the Tree of Life, Al-Jasrah Handicraft Center, and the Bahrain International Circuit, among other notable places.  

The Ministry of Culture has been working with various other government agencies to ensure a safe and successful cruise season.

"Cruise tourism is an emerging industry on which the Ministry of Culture, Tourism Sector will focus in the future to boost Bahrain's status as a preferred tourist destination on regional and international levels," Yaseen told Bahrain News Agency.

The AIDA BLU is scheduled to make 14 trips to Bahrain this cruise season, bringing 34,000 tourists and 9,100 crew members to the country.

SOURCE Kingdom of Bahrain

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