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Kuwait's stand at ATM 2014

Kuwait to showcase $2bn tourism projects at ATM

KUWAIT, March 30, 2015

Kuwait will be showcasing over $2 billion worth of investment in the tourism sector at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, UAE, this May.

Kuwait’s goal of welcoming one million tourists will be their focus at ATM as the government’s current five-year plan for travel and tourism sector development reaches a climax for all sectors of the industry.

“World Travel and Tourism Council predictions put tourist arrivals at 440,000 by 2024 - up from 270,000 in 2014 - and the government has ploughed $13 billion into infrastructure development, which is accelerating opportunities for Kuwait’s tourism sector as a whole,” said Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager for ATM, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, from May 4 to 7.

Kuwait’s tourism sector is undergoing a sea of change with a number of new projects in the pipeline.

These include a new passenger terminal at Kuwait International Airport, which is being spearheaded by the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Scheduled for completion in 2016, the $4.8 billion contract will increase capacity from six million in 2013 to 13 million by 2016, and up to 25 million per annum by 2025, according to the Centre for Aviation (CAPA).

In January this year, local carrier Jazeera Airways reported a 22 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger movements for the period, following consecutive increases in both November and December 2014. In particular, the airline registered a 32 per cent increase on its Istanbul, Beirut and Amman routes and 20 per cent growth on its GCC routes.

A new 160 km-long metro system is also under construction along with the planned Kuwait National Rail Road System - a 511 km-long integrated rail network that will greatly enhance domestic and regional travel opportunities.

Kuwaiti companies exhibiting at this year’s ATM include the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Tourism Sector, Kuwait Airways, Holidays Arabia, and first time participant, Kuwait Concierge Company-Call Centre.
 
Major tourism development entities including the Kuwait Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC), are launching a number of entertainment and sports projects valued at around $460 million, while hotel room supply is forecast to rise by almost one-third, with up to 10,000 rooms scheduled to come online by the end of 2015.
 
The top 10 projects currently under development in the country cover a wide range of activities from a $416 million investment by the Amir Diwan for the Abdulla Al Salem Cultural Centre and Tamdeen’s $206 million Al Kout Mall, to the $200 million Jaber Al Ahmed City Olympic Village and the country’s largest retail development to date, The Avenues, with two further $150 million apiece phases also making the list.

“This collectively represents over $2 billion worth of investment, and ATM will give exhibitors a unique platform to reach out to existing and prospective partners who will help drive new business to the country,” Noblet said. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: tourism | Kuwait | ATM |

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