Bahrain’s General Organization of Seaports (GOP), in its role as regulatory authority of the Kingdom’s maritime affairs and custodian of the modern Khalifa bin Salman Port, has arranged and hosted a series of meetings in order to compile a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing Bahrain’s position as a preferable port-of-call for lots of international touristic cruise liners.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, public and private sector organizations and maritime corporate executives, who discussed various ways and means to accomplish this common goal.
Topics covered included the reduction of the charges levied on the cruise ships and provision of high quality services.
The GOP also outlined the need to initiate new and innovative ways and means by which the different stakeholders can contribute. The GOP as part of its strategic plan would play a central role as coordinator between all concerned stakeholders to bring this initiative to fruition.
“At GOP, our strategic plans are to promote Bahrain’s ports as a preferred destination to the cruise liners around the world. Developing and improving the quality of services is a very important aspect which will boost tourism revenues by attracting more tourists and visitors and improve the national economy as a whole. The cruise liner industry is a newly-emerging industry which we will focus on along with stakeholders and relevant parties in the public and private sector to enhance Bahrain’s status as a preferred destination on a regional and international level,” Hassan Ali Al Majed, Director General of GOP, said.
“The GOP is taking the leading role in this new initiative taking control as the coordinator and the main link between all the stakeholders involved in order to develop Bahrain’s cruise industry as part of the ongoing efforts to bolster and diversify the national economy,” he added.