The minister noted that there were no cases when a Russian citizen was denied a visa in the last year. He expressed his regrets about the fact that the number of tourists, visiting Bahrain, has not increased even in the wake of the suspension of Russian flights to and from Egypt, which used to be one of the main tourist destinations for the Russian citizens.
According to Alzayani, Bahrain has a 5,000-year long history, which makes it a more attractive tourist destination compared to other countries in the Middle East.
"Besides, we have good conditions for shopping, wonderful beaches and the sun which shines the whole year. The human factor also plays a big role: it is a tradition in Bahrain to welcome a guest in such a way that makes him feel at home. It is important for us that a person, who has left his homeland to learn about another civilization, receives warm welcome and hospitality in another country," Alzayani said, adding that Bahrain has a lot to offer to the Russian tourists.
Russia suspended flights to and from Egypt after a St. Petersburg-bound Airbus A321 crashed in the Sinai Peninsula soon after taking off from Sharm El-Sheikh on October 31, 2015. The crash killed all 224 people on board. Russian security services regard the incident as a terror attack. Following the tragic incident, the Russian side suggested that Egypt should increase security measures.
