This refers to the setting up of Destination Bahrain Forum (GDN, February 21) by Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre general manager Puneet Singh.

I think Mr Singh has really focused on a very important initiative – tourism, which can earn Bahrain a lot of revenue.

I wish to suggest one novel approach: Like Emirates, Gulf Air in co-ordination with Bahrain government agencies, should facilitate 72-hour tourist visas for Indians who want to visit their friends in Bahrain and who will travel by Gulf Air.

Let the government put whatever salary/income criteria they feel appropriate – in order to eliminate potential ‘runaway workers’. But at least tap into this vast market of middle class Indians who are spending millions of dollars every year visiting the US, Europe, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Dubai and many other countries – who give them tourist visas easily.

Gulf Air can be the nodal agency for this visa process since they have offices in many Indian cities. So it will boost revenues for GF and the government.
I request Mr Singh to use his access to senior Bahraini government officials to present this idea to them. I would like to have feedback about the idea.
Thinking For Bahrain