Gulf Air has won the pitch to host the next Worldwide Airlines Customer Relations Association (WACRA) Conference in Bahrain to be held in November of next year.
WACRA is an international body of airline customer relations professionals from the worldwide airline industry and the annual conference of the body is hosted by one of its member airlines in their respective countries.
Gulf Air, who played host to the WACRA conference earlier, in 1998, was voted to host the event again at its recently held conference in San Francisco amid competition among over 50 member airlines.
"Gulf Air is proud to host this international conference once again," says Gulf Air Vice President Service Tariq Sultan. "Passengers' perspective of air travel has changed dramatically in the recent past and it is important for global airline industry to come together and share their experience and discuss how best we can serve passengers, who are the first and foremost for the airline industry to thrive."
Representatives from more than 60 global and regional airlines are expected to attend the conference, where industry experts drawn from governments, international and industry associations, legal firms specialising in air transport issues, regulatory agencies, as well as consumer rights and issues, will address conference sessions and conduct workshops.
"We have won the opportunity to host the event at a very important time when the credibility of the Middle Eastern airlines is being questioned," says Gulf Air Manager Customer Care and Service Monitoring Kavita Sharma Al Jassim. "As WACRA is a non-political, non-business-competitive forum, the conference, being held in Bahrain, will help to restore confidence among WACRA members. This will also help us promote Bahrain's growing importance as a tourist and financial centre in the Middle East."
Kavita AlJassim is a member of the board of WACRA representing Gulf Air while seven other senior executives from international airlines representing KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, SAS Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Air France, Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines constitute the board.
WACRA is a 60-year-old worldwide organisation of air transport professionals dedicated to providing value to respective companies, partnering with each other to share best practices and discuss industry trends, and offering our customers the very best in service recovery. It also co-operates with the Air Transport Association (ATA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.
The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.
A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.
International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services: These include:
• Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
• Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
• Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
• Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
• Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
• Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
• Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
• Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
• Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
• Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)
