Manama // Bahrain is investing in a series of major transport projects as part of its tourism industry revamp.
The Gulf state intends to expand its international airport, while a US$3 billion (Dh11.01bn), 40km two-lane road bridge called the Friendship Causeway is planned to link it with Qatar.
Analysts at the global property consultancy Cushman and Wakefield said that to decrease its dependence on the Saudi tourism market, Bahrain was investing heavily in improved transport links to encourage visitors from other areas of the GCC, and further afield.
Bahrain opened a new port last year and has ambitions to become a home berth for some smaller cruise ships.
Cruise liners that sail from Dubai, operated by companies including Royal Caribbean and Costa Cruises, bring thousands of tourists a week to the island during the cruising season.
But its air transport industry has not fared so well.
"Since the early 2000s, Bahrain has lost ground to other Gulf states in terms of being a regional transport hub," according to a recent report by Euromonitor.
"Its national carrier [Gulf Air] is heavily loss-making and is in the process of being restructured."
The Gulf state is also putting efforts into developing the highly lucrative exhibitions and meetings market.
Bahrain last year introduced a ban on one and two-star hotels selling alcohol.
There is an continuing debate in parliament on whether there should be a total ban of alcohol in the state, a move which analysts say would have a negative impact on tourism.
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
SANCTIONED
- Kirill Shamalov, Russia's youngest billionaire and previously married to Putin's daughter Katarina
- Petr Fradkov, head of recently sanctioned Promsvyazbank and son of former head of Russian Foreign Intelligence, the FSB.
- Denis Bortnikov, Deputy President of Russia's largest bank VTB. He is the son of Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB which was responsible for the poisoning of political activist Alexey Navalny in August 2020 with banned chemical agent novichok.
- Yury Slyusar, director of United Aircraft Corporation, a major aircraft manufacturer for the Russian military.
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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