www.gulfdailynews.com Bahrain is committed to developing tourism as a clean industry, says Information Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar. Those who are not obeying the policy and ethics of the tourism sector will soon be punished by appropriate steps, he noted.
The minister has also cautioned that the government would withdraw the licenses of all locations where illegal activities are taking place.
”We shall cancel their operations and take them to task,” he warned. Dr Abdul Ghaffar was speaking during a tour of the Baisan Institute of Hospitality Management (BIHM).
”If anybody commits minor mistakes, they will be warned, and if the mistakes are repeated their licence will be finally withdrawn,” he noted.
”The government will not allow any organisation to bring down the reputation and image of the tourism sector.”
The minister was received by BIHM officials headed by chairman Mohammed Dadabhai.
He praised Mr Dadabhai’s business development acumen and his continuous efforts and dedication towards the development of the tourism sector.
The minister hailed BIHM’s contributions to develop the career of Bahraini youth through proper training.
He discussed the various programs, course details and the facilities available at the Institute which are provided to students from different countries.
After a tour of the Institute, including the state-of-the-art Resource Centre, the minister told students there were thousands of jobs in the tourism sector.
”Those who join the industry at a starting salary of BD150 can climb the career ladder drawing a salary of BD1,000 to BD1,500,” he added.
”In this industry, the chefs who can create a good and artistic food can become general managers.”
Dr. Abdul Ghaffar said the government is coordinating with the Economic Development Board (EDB) to improve the tourism sector, to increase the national income to more than 11 per cent from this segment alone.
”A new Tourism Development Board will be established soon and it will make the government and the private sector help each other to conceptualize the vision of the leadership,” he added.
”The Parliament is studying the proposal to encourage the development of tourism in Bahrain.”
Dadabhai pledged his commitment to invest enormously in the education field with a view to mould sufficient manpower in tourism and hospitality sector. He said BIHM is going to take its flag by expanding its operations outside Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and very soon to Libya.
The minister also praised BIHM’s efforts in securing worldwide rights to translate, publish and distribute the Arabic translated study material.
He said BIHM has taken giant steps towards methodology of teaching in different aspects of hospitality, tourism, restaurant, public relations, and English teaching as well as offering varieties of certifications in the respective fields. ”It is not necessary for the Bahrainis to take up job in food and beverage service alone, but can focus on other areas in tourism related jobs,” said Dr. Abdul Ghaffar. |