As part of its efforts to provide better services and strengthen partnerships with the private sector, the Bahrain Ministry of Culture- Tourism Sector has launched its own call centre in co-operation with Silah Gulf (Silah).

Silah is a joint venture between the eGovernment Authority and UK-based Merchants.

Eight well-trained Bahraini nationals will be available at the centre round-the-clock to offer a wide range of tourism information and services in both Arabic and English, said the tourism officials.

People calling the hotline on 800080001 can get information about tourist, cultural, and historical attractions as well as contact and general information on hotels, travel agencies, shopping and entertainment centres, and other facilities in the Kingdom, they added.

To facilitate investments in the tourism sector and link investors to the concerned authorities, investors can also use the hotline to enquire about tourism investment procedures and relevant legislations.

The call centre will also receive complaints and suggestions regarding tourism and relevant services.

Commenting on the launch, Nada Ahmed Yaseen, assistant undersecretary for Tourism, said, "The call centre is a quantum leap in the tourism services offered to citizens, residents, visitors, tourists, and investors alike where all information about the tourism sector can be found through an easy phone service."

"We are still working on enhancing this leading project further in phases, where it will include a toll-free number as well as an international number," Yaseen remarked.

“We hope that the call centre will help activate the tourism sector in the Kingdom as a key supporter of the national economy," she added.

"The Tourism Sector at the Ministry of Culture cooperated with Silah in this initiative as part of the Ministry’s policy of partnering with the private sector to develop and invigorate the tourism sector through initiatives and activities using state-of-the-art technologies in addition to the Tourism Sector’s development of its services through continuous communication with the private sector and the launch of a new Bulk SMS text messaging service.”

Joe Tawfik, CEO, Silah thanked the Cultural Minister and the Assistant Undersecretary for their confidence in Silah’s ability to deliver on this crucial national project.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Culture to help provide a professional face to tourism in Bahrain. By being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and with a comprehensive knowledge base of information, the tourism hotline will be able to cater to visitors from all time zones,” Tawfik added

“Contact centre is fast becoming the key differentiating factor for companies and government services around the globe, and Bahrain cannot afford to be left behind in this trend.,” remarked Tawfik. 

According to Yaseen, the call centre is one of the key projects that the Tourism Sector has been working on after Manama was selected as the capital of Arab culture 2012 and the capital of Arab tourism 2013.

The Ministry of Culture is preparing to launch more leading initiatives and projects in the near future to mark the two occasions, she added.-TradeAraba News Service