Bahrain Travel Forum

A friend and I , both permanent residents in switzerland ( nationality south african and brazilian, respectively) would like to visit Bahrain for a week, but it seems near impossible to obtain tourist visas, as both our nationalities are on the list of countries which requires a sponsored visa. Already contacted the list of registered sponsors mentioned on the Bahrain e visa government website, the different airlines, as well as hotels which supposedly provides visa assistance services, to no avail, as they only process business visas. Any final suggestions as to which cause of action to take, bearing in mind, we don't know any locals which could sponsor us for a visa and that the hotels and airlines don't seem to provide this service for individual tourist who wish to pay a visit over there. Seems impossible for nationals from countries which are not on the list of 48 countries mentioned on the bahrain government website who can obtain tourist visas on arrival or e visas without the need for a local sponsor, to obtain a tourist visa for Bahrain.
Would appreciate any feedback.
Kind regards

Let me know if you find a travel agency/hotel that is willing to help you in this matter. I would like to use their services too next year when I visit.

Anyone, any suggestions? Is Bahrain off limits to tourists from those countries that need sponsored visas, unless they go there on business or visiting a relative?