Kuwait City has a lot of new projects opening in 2004 with even more projects planned over the next few years. An era of change is in the air and at the forefront of all these improvements is the hotel industry.
Realizing that Kuwait is most certainly the stop over point for many destinations as well as a centre for business development, the hotel industry is paving the way for the future.
Marriott Courtyard
Soon to open in the heart of the business and banking district, The Courtyard Kuwait City is part of Arraya Centre compromising an office tower, Arraya Convention Centre, Arraya shopping mall and a multi-level parking space.
The Courtyard features 300 stylish rooms, five meeting rooms, a fully equipped business centre, concierge desk, state-of-the-art health club with an outdoor swimming pool and a number of food and beverage outlets.
Room amenities at the hotel include a spacious well lit work area, high speed internet access, coffee making facilities, mini-bar, satellite TV, 24 hour room service, 24 hour laundry service.
Le Meridien moves into new phase
New Art + Tech design unveiled by Le Meridien in the First Quarter of 2004
Following the opening of Le Meridien Kuwait earlier in 2003, the luxury hotel group will introduce the second phase of its five-project expansion in Kuwait with the opening of the 70-room Le Meridien Tower Kuwait in the first quarter of 2004.
The hotel marks the debut of Le Meridien’s innovative Art+Tech design in the region, and forms part of an aggressive development strategy in the country - which will create almost 420 new rooms across five projects by 2006.
Le Meridien’s development in Kuwait is the result of a newly established owning relationship with A’amal Holding Company.
Ahmed Al Abdaly, chairman of A’Amal Holding Company said: “These five projects, which include the refurbishment and re-branding of the former Ritz Hotel will change the face of Kuwait’s hospitality structure. In a small but competitive marketplace such a s Kuwait, hotel operators have to nimble enough to identify opportunities and developing districts, while be flexible enough to follow through and service them properly.”
Sami Zoghbi, regional Managing Director of Le Meridien Middle East and West Asia, pointed out that the pace of development in Kuwait has accelarated.
On new product, the upcoming 70-room city boutique hotel, Le Meridien Tower Kuwait is located just minutes from key business, banking and shopping districts. Facilities include a multi-dining outlet café with an outdoor terrace, a compact meeting and banqueting room, business centre, health club, sauna and swimming pool.
A second, 70-unit Art+Tech Hotel will follow in 2005 in the Mubarakia district. According to country General Manager Hannes Yaghi, the contemporary boutique style will be a first for the Middle East, offering customers’ cutting-edge technology and innovative room design that brings a new dimension to the hospitality sector in Kuwait.
Looking ahead, in 2005 Le Meridien expect the completion of a 120-unit hotel tower and Convention Centre annexe to Le Meridien Kuwait-the first of its kind in Kuwait. In 2006, a Le Meridien Residence is confirmed with 80 residential apartments - again another first in its category.
Le Meridien has more than two decades of hospitality experience in Kuwait, and with more than 135 hotels and resorts worldwide, the Middle East and West Asia inventory now compromises more than 15 per cent of the network total.
Kuwait Tourism Sector
Kuwait Tourism is about to enter its second phase of it restructuring plan, according to Ms. Nabila Anjiri, assistant Under Secretary for Tourism. The Tourism sector is now ready to plan its year for 2004, including to provide expatriates that are living in the G.C.C, a tourist visa that will be attainable upon arrival at Kuwait International Airport, “this is a good step for Tourism in Kuwait,” says Ms. Al-Anjiri, “as all hotels are fully booked and the market is fully booked, this is the right time.”
With this in mind Kuwait is hosting in January 2004 from the 12th until the 13th at the JW Marriott, the Tourism and Development Forum under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah. The Ministry of Information will be the organizing body. Key high profile speakers like Saudi Arabian Prince Sultan bin Salman, Sheikh Abdullah bin Al-Thainy from Qatar, Nabeel Al Hammer- Minister of Information from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mouhsin Al Baloushi from Oman, Khaled Bin Sulaiman -Under Secretary of Tourism from United Arab Emirates, and the WTO (World Tourist Organization) Secretary General Francesco Frangialli, will be there to discuss Kuwait’s tourism in relation to the GCC, and discuss commerce, and economic reform.
Kuwait International Airport
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) celebrated its anniversary of the “Diamond Jubilee” - marking the first civil aircraft, which landed in a desert strip 75 years ago in the State of Kuwait.
Aviation age dawns in Kuwait, building on strong foundations and charting ambitious courses for the future.
Almost three decades of visionary management lie behind the transformation of Kuwait International Airport (KIA) into today’s welcoming hi-tech hub. The driving force behind that metamorphosis is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation being the competent authority committed to keep abreast of the tremendous challenges and changes facing the global civil aviation industry in the daunting pace of the 21st century. Recognizing these tremendous responsibilities, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation fundamental objective to achieve and maintain the highest levels of safety oversight, security standards, efficiency and regularity for international recommended practices of civil aviation streamline - to and from the State of Kuwait.
Kuwait Airways
Kuwait airways prides itself on convenience and now, for the benefit of all travellers they fly three flights a day to Dubai, morning, afternoon, and evening. They also fly three flights a week to Sharm Al-Shaikh, with twice weekly non-stop service to New York. New flight destinations are planned for mid 2004, with flights planned for Athens - Greece, Aleppo - Syria, and Toronto - Canada. Special ‘Kids Meals’ are available on all Kuwait Airways flights, however pre-ordering is recommended for this request as well as any other requests any passengers may have to make their flight as comfortable as possible.