The manager of a leading hotel in the Russian capital Moscow said that he was looking forward to large numbers of Bahrainis and Gulf residents visiting Russia after Gulf Air last has launched a direct flight from Bahrain.
“I truly hope we will have the pleasure to welcome more travelers from Bahrain and the Gulf to showcase this wonderful city with its special people,” Mark Neukomm, the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, told Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
Gulf Air started the direct route to Moscow on October 28 with great fanfare. Two ministers, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Culture, and Sameera bint Ebrahim Bin Rajab, the State Minister for Information Affairs and the Official Spokesperson for the Government, were among the first travellers to board the plane in a clear demonstration of Bahrain’s support to its national carrier and the cultural and media exchange with Russia.
"The air link completes the cultural bridge, consolidated by HM the King's recent visit to Russia," Shaikha Mai said. “Gulf Air’s direct flights to Moscow will enhance tourism, cultural and civilisational exchange between the two friendly countries.”
Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Maher Salman Al Musallam, the Russian Ambassador to Bahrain, Victor Smirnov, and senior members from the airline and regional journalists were also among the travellers on the maiden flight to the Russian capital.
“I am delighted Gulf Air is directly connecting Moscow and Bahrain as product of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa successful visit to Russia and of an earlier visit by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and the First Deputy of the Prime Minister, to Moscow,” Al Musallam said.
“An agreement of mutual air transport was signed, paving the way for direct flights between Manama and Moscow. His Majesty’s visit marked the beginning of new strategic business, investment and tourism cooperation prospects between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation. We hope our passengers will experience and enjoy Russia’s historic capital city,” he said at the reception hosted to mark the historic occasion.
Less than five hours later, as the Airbus A320-ER aircraft with 110-seat capacity smoothly landed at Domodedovo International Airport, hordes of photographers and journalists captured the spectacular arrival, in an obvious indication of the Russian media interest in the latest development of the growing relations with Bahrain.
“This is truly a historic moment and I am confident our relations will continue to grow,” Ambassador Smirnov, one of the major Russian architects of the booming ties between the two countries.
For Abdullah, a former student at a Russian university and now taking one of the four weekly flights operated by Gulf Air, the direct route is a new opportunity.
“Gulf Air has made it so much easier for anyone flying into the Russian capital,” he said.
At the opulent 11-storey The Ritz-Carlton at the heart of Moscow, Neukomm said that the Russian capital offered numerous attractions to visitors from the Gulf and elsewhere, including facilities for children.
“History, shopping, arts and nature combine to give the city special flavours. Families from the Gulf have several options to enjoy calm and enriching experiences here. They have real opportunities to unwind and to explore,” he said.
His hotel, a combination of elegance and drama that has blended relaxation and business facilities, restaurants, a lounge and standard-setting services to become a symbol of the new Russia, is on the bustling Tverskaya Street, the city’s major street known for its shops, restaurants and cafés.
It is next to the Kremlin, the apex of Russian political power, and the celebrated Red Square, the 400m by 150m area of cobblestones where much of Russian history has unfolded. The Bolshoi Theatre, home to the world-famous Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi, and St Basil’s Cathedral, the architectural symbol of Russia, are a few metres away.
“I will always cherish my first trip to Moscow,” Fatima, a Bahraini visitor, said. “It has been an amazing experience and a true eye-opener against all prejudices. I enjoyed the late stroll near the Bolshoi theatre with other Bahraini girls and I will always recall the special feelings I had at the Red Square. History is so tantalizingly alive and the whole experience has set my heart aflutter,” she said.
Rasha, a Bahraini adept at photography who celebrated Moscow’s architectural, artistic and culinary feats in pictures and comments on social media, said that she had plans to go back to the city and do more exploration.
“It was stupendous and I loved it,” she said. “I have even misplaced a bag of souvenirs and I believe it is a sign that I will go back to Moscow soon. It is easy now with the direct Gulf Air flight,” she said, already dreaming of the Matryoshkas, the nestling Russian dolls, that she will purchase in Old Arbat Street, the vibrant area with cafés, restaurants and numerous souvenir shops.
Azza Matar, the Gulf Air officer who organized the first trip for the media, beamed with great news.
“The flight back from Moscow to Bahrain is fully booked,” she said, ostentatiously elated with the information. “I am so happy that everything went well and that our friends in Bahrain and Russia impressively elevated the significance of gracious hospitality and devotion to standards to new heights,” she said.