Hotels will have to meet strict criteria from Sunday to host weddings, exhibitions, business meetings and conferences to be in compliance with Covid-19 protocols ... in a gentle step towards normality.

Under the new rules, hotels must apply online for a special event registration permit at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) if they host between 31 to 150 guests with their reservation details.

In addition, they have to upload the Commercial Registration certificate, hotel’s event floor plan and a nurse licence issued by the National Health Regulatory Authority.

The nurse from a private hospital and the hotel will be responsible to check Covid-19 negative certificates, valid for 48 hours, of all those attending for each licensed event.

The rules were revised following the ban on hotels and tourism facilities from hosting gatherings, including popular outside weddings as part of a BTEA directive dated January 11, due to a spike in Covid-19 infections.

This left many hoteliers flooded with cancellations of events, including weddings.

Among them was Crowne Plaza general manager Bruno Hivon who told the GDN the hotel had to cancel about 20 events, including long-planned matrimonial gatherings.

“We welcome the relaxation of rules to allow hotels to host special events but also feel there needs to be more clarity on the guidelines from the authorities,” he added.

“It could be a logistical nightmare if we talk about the PCR tests of all the attendees and a nurse having to verify the certificates with hotel staff.”

Decision

Mr Hivon believes the decision offered a glimmer of hope for businesses, especially for hotels severely affected by the pandemic since last year.

“Hotels are a structured place able to follow strict safety guidelines that can be monitored by officials, as opposed to house events and parties that are being held right now,” he said.

Elite Hospitality Group chief operating officer Sarosh Aibara welcomed the lifting of the events ban too.

“This is a good news for hotels as many had to deal with cancellations earlier this month,” he said.

“They will start applying online to get the special events permit to host not more than 150 guests, while adhering to strict social distancing protocols.

“All guests will have to carry Covid-19 negative tests that will be verified by a nurse in attendance.”

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hospitality and tourism committee deputy chairman Hameed Al Halwachi, however, believes the decision will still make it challenging for event organisers.

“The new rules will help a little but will not make a big difference to the country’s damaged hospitality sector,” said Mr Al Halwachi.

“The occupancy levels in January are much lower than what it was during the same period last year and some properties are on the verge of closing their doors for good.”

The latest BCCI assessment about different sectors affected by the pandemic listed the restaurant and hotel industry among the top when it comes to facing huge losses.

The sector recorded a negative 35.99 per cent in the first quarter, -61.33pc in the second quarter and -36.61pc in the third quarter of last year.

Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani in a written statement to parliament this month stated that Bahrain’s tourism industry suffered an estimated BD1 billion blow as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the restrictions put in place to help prevent its spread.

Losses

He added that the kingdom lost around BD4m on a daily basis – amounting to around BD108m per month – resulting in more than BD1bn in nine months due to a loss of 29,000 visitors per day.

The minister added the annual revenues for hotels, furnished apartments and restaurants dropped by 39.5pc – falling from BD218m in 2019 to around BD132m because of precautionary measures taken.

Furthermore, Bahrain lost a total of BD10.8m as a result of the cancellation of 450 Indian weddings this year, along with the cancellation of 55 cruise ship visits with around 100,000 people on board.

sandy@gdn.com.bh

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