KUWAIT: Kuwait is set to advance its position on the regional tourism map in 2025 through major projects and initiatives designed to strengthen its role as a cultural and family destination, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said Saturday. Speaking to KUNA, Al-Mutairi affirmed that Kuwait possesses strong tourism components that combine authenticity and modernity, enabling it to attract visitors and investors alike.

He highlighted the launch of the “Visit Kuwait” digital platform in November as a milestone project that will streamline visitor entry procedures, integrate services in hospitality, entertainment, and transportation, and create new investment opportunities in cooperation with the private sector. Al-Mutairi noted that Kuwait’s election last February to chair the Regional Commission for the Middle East at the UN Tourism Organization confirms international confidence in Kuwait’s ability to contribute to shaping the future of tourism in the region.

“This achievement reflects the guidance of our leadership in developing infrastructure and services in line with the aspirations of citizens, residents, and visitors,” he said. He added that the ministry is working to diversify cultural, recreational, and sporting events while preserving Kuwait’s heritage identity, positioning the country as a cultural and humanitarian hub. Future plans, he explained, include attracting tourism investments, promoting domestic tourism, and strengthening public–private partnerships to create an attractive environment for families and youth.

At the regional level, Al-Mutairi noted that the Gulf states are experiencing a tourism renaissance, underlined by the UN body’s regional office in Riyadh and growing international arrivals across the Middle East. He stressed that Kuwait’s presidency of the commission for a two-year renewable term represents both an opportunity and a responsibility to advance regional cooperation and sustainable tourism policies.

Globally, tourism is rebounding strongly. The UN agency reported 690 million international tourist arrivals worldwide in the first half of 2025, up five percent from 2024 and above pre-pandemic levels, despite persistent challenges such as inflation, travel restrictions, and geopolitical tensions. The sector, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his annual message, remains a driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable transformation. Al-Mutairi expressed confidence that Kuwait, through innovative projects and active regional engagement, will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and competitive tourism industry. — KUNA