BAHRAIN has great potential to become an international hub for tourism. One of the main attractions that has made Bahrain a glamorous destination for international tourists, especially Europeans and Australians, is the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
The BIC was set up in 2003 at a cost of around $150 million and has contributed greatly in giving a boost to the Bahraini economy, especially in the tourism sector.
The BIC has succeeded in projecting an admirable image of the Middle East and has developed a brilliant reputation in the world of car racing. The Formula 1 Grand Prix, which has never taken place in the Middle East, has been held at the BIC. The Australian V8 Supercar race has also been held in Bahrain and away from mainland Australia for the first time in the race’s history. Apart from this, various other high-profile races are regularly held at the BIC.
Holding these events have helped Bahrain attract over $3 million, and the number is expected to rise in the coming years, especially with the widespread participation of the Australian races. The BIC has also been able to provide jobs to locals with over 3,000 people currently employed at the BIC.
The main stadium can house up to 10,000 people and a bridge catering for VIPs can hold around 34,000 fans. The highly equipped buildings can also welcome over 18 international teams and the state of the art media center at the BIC is able to provide services to as many as 500 journalists and reporters, as well as 300 television crews.
Bahrain also provides visitors with other activities apart from the BIC. Malls and shopping centers dotted around the Island provide tourists — especially Europeans and Australians — with an opportunity to experience Gulf Arab culture. Tourists are able to avail of the opportunity to hold scimitars and dance the Arda (a traditional folk dance peculiar to the Gulf region in which groups of men carrying swords in their right hands dance moving back and forth). Tourists are also able to hold their hands together and partake in the Al-Samri dance with local Bahrainis dressed in traditional costumes.
Tourists are particularly attracted to the art of henna and can be seen wanting to have their hands decorated with the sign of the BIC as well as many other patterns and drawings.
Bahrain is also a wonderful place for shopping. Tourists are able to purchase different kinds of trinkets and souvenirs for themselves and for family and friends back home. Tourists tend to buy various items including gold, precious stones, bracelets and rugs, which are skillfully manufactured locally.
The Gulf island also provides much to do for children, with organizers arranging activities such as Bungee Jumping, go-kart racing and a game called Wild Bull.
The atmosphere around the BIC is carnival-like with Australian tourists giving locals an insight into their culture by dressing up as kangaroos.
Millions from across the world were excited to watch not only races on television but also a man who had dressed up as the popular Middle Eastern cartoon character called Maokley. The man, dressed in leather, had donned a bandana over his head, had painted his face and was carrying a sickle and a horn. A generous Bahraini man dressed up in traditional clothes served Maokley Arabian coffee.
Fans were also thankful to the organizers since they provided a five meter table for famous participants to sit and have their pictures taken with fans and sign autographs. Fans stood in long queues waiting for their chance to talk with the celebrities.
Bahrain has established six separate racing circuits; something that has allowed Bahrain to acquire international fame. The length of the inner circuit is 255 kilometers while the width is between 14 and 15 meters, with a total of eight turns. The outer circuit however is 6,643 kilometer in length and 14 to 17 meters wide. The Grand Price Circuit is 5, 357 kilometers in length, and between 14 and 22 meters wide.
Bahrainis wish that the coming season in 2007 would be better than previous years, especially since the BIC is the venue for the Australian V8 Supercar race. These races have brought around 28,000 from across Europe and Australian to Bahrain with around 30 million watching the races on television.
