The Philippines seeks to improve its air connectivity with Bahrain through flights to Cebu, going so far as to propose flights between the Middle Eastern country with the key southern city.

In a recent visit to Bahrain, tourism secretary Christina Frasco met up with Bahraini tourism minister Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi to discuss possible collaborations with regard to international aviation, as well as the broader tourism sector.

Aside from discussing an increase of flights between Bahrain and Manila, the two also discussed joint promotions of islands, exchange of tourism professionals, mutual growth in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), and tourism investments.

Considering new agreements

Frasco proposed the execution of an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tourism development cooperation, building on an old agreement signed in 2003.

Al Sairafi welcomed the idea, saying this updated deal would “put the silver lining” for the Philippine-Bahrain cooperation.

The Bahraini minister said: “I’m so happy that you are here in the Kingdom of Bahrain so that we could start discussing ways that we can collaborate.”

The meeting was held last week on the sidelines of Frasco’s participation in the 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism at Exhibition World Bahrain which was held on 18th and 19th November.