In a bid to attract more foreign visitors, the Kingdom of Bahrain has announced a massive reduction in pre-entry visa fees, effective from January 2020.
For a one-year visa, the fee is now 40 Bahraini dinars (Dh400), down from BD85. The fee for five-year visas has been reduced from BD170 to BD60, reported Bahrain's national newspaper, Gulf Daily News.
In December, Manama, the country's capital city, was named Capital of Arab Tourism for 2020. The announcement was made during the 22nd session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, held in Saudi Arabia's Al Ahsa. On New Year's Eve, BTEA launched a new identity and logo to complement the new designation.
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Look inside Bahrain's new boutique hotel that pays tribute to Sheikh Zayed:
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Al Nuzul Salam, Bahrain's new boutique hotel, features a Mediterranean-style bistro that serves contemporary local cuisine. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The building is located in old Muharraq and forms part of Bahrain's Pearling Path. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
It's a two-storey building that's been recently refurbished. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The hotel is a collaboration between Bahrain's Sheikh Ebrahim Centre and the UAE's Ministry of Culture. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Each of the six rooms have a name, including Bahr, Shams and Amal, which mean 'sea', 'sun' and 'hope', respectively. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Guests will be able to book rooms from December 2019. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Textures and colour palettes are combined to bring 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' to life. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The hotel boasts a minimal and yet retro aesthetic. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The retro aesthetic extends to the rugs and chairs. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Influence from 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' is stitched into the hotel's DNA. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
One of six rooms at Nuzul Al Salam. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The courtyard features eight lemon and orange trees. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
A tapestry highlighting Bahrain's flora and fauna. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
A standalone bathtub offers lovely views of the courtyard. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Woven tapestries bring Bahrain's culture to life throughout. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Terrazzo flooring has been used throughout the hotel. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
A kinetic wall using state-of-the-art technology sees the moon change from crescent to full as visitors walk past. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Even the bathrobes have been weaved by a local fashion designer. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Elements of bold design are also incorporated, but everything pays homage to the Gulf's culture and history. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Modernity meets tradition in the design at Nuzul Al Salam. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
A central parametric staircase incorporates 700 hand-carved pieces of natural oak wood. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The staircase took three-and-a-half months to make. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The hotel features a central courtyard and cafe. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
Bahrain craftspeople were involved every step of the way. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
The hotel is full of design elements that hark back to 1930s and 1940s Bahrain. Courtesy Ammar Basheir -
A book about Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, sits in Nuzul Al Salam, Bahrain. Courtesy Ammar Basheir
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Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, the minister of industry, commerce and tourism and chairman of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said at the time: "BTEA's strategy focuses on developing unique tourism products through hosting a series of events and activities that target all segments of the society, including families from the GCC and other Arab countries, further contributing to the development of the tourism sector."
He added that in the first nine months of 2019, tourists spent 10.7 million nights on the island, which is an increase of 8.8 per cent compared to the same period of 2018. The average length of stay was 3.4 nights per tourists, up by 20.5 per cent.
A total of 67 countries are eligible to receive a visa on arrival at Bahrain International Airport, according to the eGovernment portal. Passport-holders of a further 114 countries can apply for visas online. A variety of visas are on offer, from a two-week single-entry option to a multiple-entry visa that is valid for one year.
