The Deputy CEO of Spring Travel & Tourism W.L.L. talks about his love for travel, what sets his agency apart from others in the market and the Kingdom as a global tourism hub.

You’re a mechanical engineer by qualification and have worked in the banking sector for more than a decade. How did you finally realise that your true calling was travel and tourism?
When I enrolled in university in 1997, tourism was not an accredited programme. Tourism did not exist in people’s consciousness, despite a passion for travel and an interest in exploring other cultures and learning about them. The majority of my work in the banking sector was in administration. During the last 14 years, I have satisfied my passion for travel by visiting more than 60 countries across the globe. A milestone, in 2015, was the establishment of Spring Travel and Tourism Company, which was founded with the intent to serve people from all over the region. Today, we have more than 20,000 customers and not only from the Kingdom. We successfully raise the Bahrain name on many occasions.

What sets Spring Travel & Tourism W.L.L. apart from other agencies on the island?
We have made extraordinary efforts toward direct and indirect presence since the company’s inception. We have focused on providing quality services throughout the customers’ journey, from the moment they contact us through any communication channel until they return from their trip, to give them the best travel and tourism experience, based on our cumulative knowledge. Additionally, we’re one of the few agents in the GCC market who provide comprehensive services including reservations, visas, SIM cards and many others, as a one-stop-shop for all your travel and tourism needs. Travellers can enjoy peace of mind by choosing the best airlines, hotels, transportation and guides during their trip.

You have more than 15 years’ experience in this industry. What’s your view of Bahrain as a tourism hub?
It is my belief that Bahrain is well equipped and possesses the elements that make it the centre of attraction for tourism, including beaches, archaeological sites, Formula 1 racing, shopping centres, associated events and international conferences. Also, Bahrain has entertainment centres that make it a popular tourist destination for families.

Spring Travel & Tourism released the Happiness Guide earlier this year? What according to it are the top three summer holiday spots, considering the temperatures aren’t going to drop anytime soon?
Every year, Spring Travel issues a booklet containing summer trips – the Happiness Guide – six months before summer. Preparation for summer is a big topic for us. During this process, all hotels will be visited, partners will be met and a balanced programme will be implemented to meet customers’ needs. In this booklet, you’ll find all the information you need to know about your trip such as the tourism route, weather forecast, currency, visa requirements, etc. Türkiye, Austria and BosniaHerzegovina are among the most popular tourist destinations with our customers.

You’ve visited almost 70 countries so far. Tell us about your most memorable trip.
Since I’ve been travelling for years, I’ve been to 69 countries across six continents, and each country offers different attractions and programmes. It is very difficult to choose one but the most memorable was Iceland, where I drove and saw waterfalls, mountains, lakes, valleys and the aurora borealis. During the next six months, I will be visiting four new places: Antarctica, Rwanda, Uganda and Greenland. ✤