Bahrain dealt another blow with travel show cull

The Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) which was due to be held next month at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Manama has been cancelled.

The cancellation of BITE, which was scheduled to take place from 12 - 14 May is a further huge blow to Bahrain's ailing tourism sector, which has virtually ground to a halt due to the ongoing civil unrest in the country. Following the cancellation of the F1 Grand Prix event in February, hotel occupancy levels have plummeted to just 5% and Bahrain's cruise season has also been cancelled as operators removed Bahrain from their itineraries.

Magnum Events & Exhibitions Management (MEEM), the exhibition organisers staging the travel expo confirmed that they were also cancelling other events in Bahrain and would be closing down the company in due course.

A statement from Abraham John, executive director, Magnum Events & Exhibitions Management (MEEM), said: "I regret to inform you that we have decided to cease hosting the annual Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) which we inaugurated in 2005.

"On this occasion we would like to place on record our sincere appreciation and thanks for all the support you extended to us since launching BITE in 2005.

We have also decided to discontinue the Mother and Baby Bahrain Show- MBBS.

In due course of time we will close MEEM."