Following a recent spate of violence slated “the deadliest attack against security forces since protests began in 2011”, the hospitality industry maintains it is business as usual in the Kingdom of Bahrain

"Listen guys we’re going to go full speed ahead, we don’t care about anything else” – this is the message that Domain Bahrain’s managing director Patrick De Groot is pushing out, and it seemingly encapsulates the attitude of a whole kingdom.

Bahrain, made up of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, recently marked the 10th anniversary of Gulf Air sponsored Formula 1, The Bahrain Grand Prix amid the threat of more hostility as spates of violence continued three years after the first protests broke out during the 2011 Arab Spring.

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In the same year, the event was cancelled and hotel occupancy dropped to 33%, a figure that has been gradually creeping up and reached 43% at yearend 2013.

The 2014 Formula 1 race, which was held at night for the first time ever to attract additional publicity, came just one month after what Bill Law of BBC News describes as “the deadliest attack against the security forces since unrest began three years ago”.

Law refers to a bomb explosion which took place on March 3 2014, killing three policemen. The officers died when trying to disperse rioters in the village of Dath, west of the capital Manama. Thirteen police officers have now perished since protests began, another of which was killed this year on February 14, the third anniversary of the unrest.

According to human rights activists, more than 80 civilians have also been killed; however, the Bahraini government says this figure is lower.

According to TRI Hospitality Consulting senior consultant, Christopher Hewett, the months of February and March tend to be the “hotbeds” of violence since they fall in line with the anniversaries of the events. “It just happens to be close to Formula 1 which always does attract forms of protest and activity," Hewett explains.

Despite the seeming stalemate of danger in Bahrain, the hospitality industry was positive that this year’s Formula 1 would be a success, with De Groot, who manages the home-grown boutique hotel Domain Bahrain, which opened earlier this year, commenting: “I think the lead up to this year’s event seems a lot bigger and more positive so I’m very hopeful that we’re going to have a fantastic event this year.”

Mark Willis, area vice president of Carlson Rezidor, agrees: “I’m looking forward to a great Formula 1 and hope there are no negative incidences associated with it”. Willis said he is confident that business in Bahrain will go on as usual and is looking forward to the opening of the group’s second Bahrain hotel next year.

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