MANAMA: The Capital of Bahrain, Manama, has been officially declared as the Asian Capital of Tourism 2014 during an event held at the Bahrain Fort on Tuesday.
It was officially announced during a Press conference on the sidelines of the event, organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammad Al Khalifa, the Secretary-General of the Asian Cooperation Forum (ACF), Bundit Limschoon, diplomats, ambassadors, representatives of Asian countries, intellectuals and the media.
Strategies of cultural exchange and consolidation of relations between the Asian countries were announced to enhance tourism at the Asian and global levels.
The Culture Minister highlighted the diversity of tourist locations in the Arabian Gulf and pointed out to the history and civilization of Bahrain that stretches back 5000 years and its relations with the Arabian Peninsula and world countries. She commended the cooperation between the Culture Ministry and Foreign Ministry, appreciating the Foreign Minister’s long support for culture and tourism.
The Foreign Minister underscored Bahrain’s historical tourist relations with other Asian countries that have been further developed in line with HM the King’s vision, hailing the Culture Ministry’s accomplishments at the local and Asian levels.
ACF Sec-Gen lauded Culture and Foreign Ministers’ tourist efforts at local and continental levels; stressing Bahrain represents a tourist destination that combines history, civilisation, culture and warm hospitality.