Bahrain — the place to be for Formula One
I’m looking forward to a racing holiday this summer — that’s the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 6.
When Gulf Air’s country manager Bobby Hukom, whom I haven’t seen for quite a while, called for the invite, the F-1 fan in me got really excited. I haven’t seen one up close and personal in, maybe five years or so, though I’ve had my share of it a few times in the past and seldom missed any of its races on TV. Like everyone else, I’ve been overrun by events, work loads, etc., and this is one luxury I would love to give myself, given the work I have immersed myself in these past years. Just hearing the news, and knowing that I am finding the time for it, allows for a beautiful adrenalin rush.
Gulf Air has, in fact, been an important part of the Bahrain Grand Prix in the past. Knowing how formula racing puts any country in the cosmopolitan map,
Gulf Air’s main headquarters is in
In the recent 15th Travel Tour Expo held at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia, all the major suppliers in the travel and tour industry were there as exhibitors - hotels, airlines, resorts, travel agencies and tour operators. (Incidentally, congratulations to PTAA and its president Jojo Clemente for another successful expo.) Gulf Air was there headed by Mr. Richard Hirsch, regional general manager, Asia, and Bobby Hukom, Gulf Air Philippines’ head honcho. Mr. Hirsch informed us that Gulf Air has always been part of the Philippine travel industry since the 80’s and has been quite impressed by the country’s growing economy. He realizes, and gives credit to, the importance of the Filipino overseas worker and how this has substantially contributed to our GDP. The Philippine market, as far as the travel industry is concerned, is a fast growing market. Where before they had daily flights out, they now have a frequency of ten flights a week, testimony to the now very strong Mediterranean network, and most of these travelers are from the
According to Gulf Air, ticket sales here have doubled since last year. Unlike before when most of the ticket sales were ex-Philippines, meaning the tickets were bought and paid for outside the country, more of the bookings and actual sales are now done in the
Business has been good that they have had to deal with some radical rationalization recently. Gulf Air has been traveling regularly in these parts of
We were, in fact, curious if the stronger peso and the weaker dollar have not affected the travel industry. Bobby Hukom was quick to point out that the industry has not really been affected by the currency fluctuation. Locally, in fact, more Filipinos can now afford the luxury of travel, given the longer stretch of the Peso. Apparently, the weakening dollar has not discouraged much of the American market either, while the Euro is strong as ever.
Incidentally, another big market of Gulf Air is the Filipino seamen. Actually, the world recognizes the Filipino sea farer as among the best globally. Because of Gulf Air’s connectivity, it can fly the seamen from the
Anyway, back to the Bahrain Grand Prix. Gulf Air calls this the Safari Grand Prix. As I write this, the top executives of Gulf Air in
Filipino F-1 fans have a treat in store for them with the coming of the Bahrain Grand Prix on
See you there.
Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.
For comments: (e-mail) [email protected]
- Latest
- Trending