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A massive reduction in pre-entry visa fees has been widely welcomed as a move that will strengthen Bahrain’s position as an attractive tourist destination.
However, hoteliers and businessmen urged the government to revise the fees levied on short-term business visas which they claimed was the most sought-after.
The GDN reported yesterday that starting today, entry visas valid for one year will now cost only BD40 instead of BD85, while five-year valid entry visas will be charged BD60, down from BD170.
Under the new measure, foreign students will be entitled to five-year valid visas, instead of one-year ones, and the validity of diplomatic visas has been extended from three to five years.
The reduced visa fees were announced during the Cabinet’s weekly session on Monday.
“This move will definitely impact the number of tourists entering Bahrain, which will in turn enhance Bahrain’s position among the GCC nations as a favourite destination in the region,” Bahrain Exhibition and Conference Society president Kadhem Isa Sayed told the GDN.
“We, the private sector, have to do a lot as in launching new initiatives to help tap into this opportunity.
“We should focus on conferences, exhibitions and events, while one major area where we could focus is sports – it is a key area that will attract people from all over the GCC and aboard.
“With the visa fees slashed, more people and organisations will be keen to organise and participate in major tournaments.”
However, he urged the government to consider reducing the fees for business visas.
“We recommend a revision of fees for the business visas, especially the two-week visas which is the most popular.”
Elite Hospitality Group chief operating officer Sarosh Aibara also said the fee reduction will bring more footfalls into Bahrain.
“We have been advocating a reduction in visa fees for ages and even submitted a report to the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA),” he said.
“So we are happy; it will help in bringing more footfalls to Bahrain.
“But it is important to reduce the charges for a one-week to one-month visa which is most used by tourists and corporate travellers.
“One-week visa is most requested and applying through hotels costs lot more than applying online.”
Hotels and travel agents charge BD25 for a week’s visa, while an e-visa for two weeks costs BD9.
“Visa fee for a month is BD34 which can be extended twice with additional fee and the government has not made any reduction announcement yet on this category.
“Personally, this is very encouraging news and it will help the hospitality sector and the hotels definitely will be the biggest to benefit,” said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hospitality and tourism committee member Hameed Al Halwachi.
“This will help to increase the occupancy for the next five years and there will be slight improvement in the average room rate – as we are aware, the hotel sector is facing business difficulties, especially the four star ones.
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“I think this news needs to be informed internationally and to all our offices outside Bahrain which are marketing our country’s brand.
“It will be good if we can gather the concerns of the private sector and the government to ensure the visas are processed professionally at all levels.”
Expatriates welcomed the reduction in visas, especially those on a family visa status; they can apply for the one-year e-visa to bring in their spouses, parents and children.
“Beyond the economic enhancement that the move promises, it is yet another expat-friendly move,” said Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam president P V Radhakrishna Pillai.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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