April 23- The Middle East Cruise Forum will be held in Bahrain next month, it was learnt on Thursday. The highly anticipated event will bring together experts and leaders from the industry to deliberate on ways to increase cruise tourism in the region.

Starting on May 11, the conference will cover significant topics related to cruise tourism and Hassan Ali Al Majed, director general of the General of the Organisation of Sea Ports, will be among the leaders taking part in the keynote session to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with increasing cruise tourism.  Other participants include Dr Heba Aziz, executive director, Tourism Sector, Ministry of Culture & Information Bahrain; Ahmed Abdullah Al Nuami, chairman, Qatar Tourism & Exhibition Authority; Laurent Monsaingeon, past president of MedCruise and Awadh Al Ketbi, Chairman, Al Ketbi Tourism and Hospitality Consultancy.

A reception prior to the conference will be held on May 10 under the patronage of Bahrain's Ministry of Culture & Information where delegates, speakers and cruise lines' representatives will have the opportunity to network and share best practices.