New draft law to regulate and develop tourism in Kuwait
The Ministry of Information, in coordination with the relevant authorities, has prepared a new draft law to regulate tourism in the country, in accordance with the state’s orientation toward tourism transformation. The law will be submitted to the Council of Ministers once it has been fully reviewed and all comments from the relevant authorities have been taken into account.
The Ministry of Information explained in a letter addressed to several parties that the draft law was designed to regulate the tourism sector in Kuwait. Its aim is to support and develop tourism activities, encourage investment, and foster growth in the sector, in line with the Ministry’s responsibilities outlined in its establishment decree to oversee and promote tourism and diversify its activities.
Moreover, the Ministry of Information requested that concerned parties study the draft law regulating tourism and submit their comments and suggestions within 10 days.
The draft law, reviewed by Al-Qabas, includes 38 articles and procedures aimed at facilitating entertainment projects, stimulating domestic tourism, and attracting tourists.
Importantly, the draft law stipulates updating the entry visa process under the Foreigners’ Residence Law to include tourist visa permits. It also calls for coordination with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, as well as relevant authorities, to facilitate the entry of tourists and prepare general policies and strategies for tourism development.
The draft law also outlines measures to enhance income sources, create new job opportunities, and involve the private sector. It aims to provide a modern tourism development model that accommodates national and foreign investments, attracts capital, promotes tourism projects, and encourages investment.
Furthermore, the draft law also emphasizes attracting international companies to invest in the tourism sector without the need for a local agent. It includes developing comprehensive plans for tourism promotion, introducing the Kuwaiti tourism product to global markets, creating a domestic tourism market, increasing tourist arrivals, and facilitating their entry into the country.
The measures also focus on diversifying tourism products across the country’s islands, sea beaches, and all other tourist areas, aiming to enhance the variety of attractions for visitors.
The draft law also included provisions for regulating tourist accommodation services, entertainment services, transportation, and car rental for tourist purposes, all of which would require approval from the relevant authorities.
Land Allocation for Tourism Development Purposes
The draft law also includes provisions for regulating the use of state-allocated lands for tourism development in areas and sites related to the tourism product, in compliance with existing laws and regulations governing state lands and real estate.
Tourism Festivals
The draft law regulating tourism includes a provision for adopting the state’s annual plan for organizing festivals, events, exhibitions, and tourism conferences both domestically and internationally.
Following are the Details:
The Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, has prepared a new draft law aimed at regulating tourism in Kuwait as part of the state’s efforts to transform the tourism sector. The draft law will be submitted to the Council of Ministers after thorough review and consideration of feedback from the concerned parties.
In a letter addressed to various parties, the Ministry of Information explained that the draft law was designed to regulate the tourism sector in Kuwait. Its objectives include supporting and developing tourism activities, fostering investment, and encouraging growth within the sector. The law aligns with the Ministry’s responsibilities, as outlined in its establishment decree, to oversee and promote tourism, as well as to diversify its activities.
The Ministry of Information has requested relevant parties to review the draft law regulating tourism and submit their comments and suggestions within 10 days.
The draft law, reviewed by Al-Qabas, consists of 38 articles and outlines procedures aimed at facilitating entertainment projects, stimulating domestic tourism, and attracting international tourists.
Reviewed by Al-Qabas, the draft law consists of 38 articles and outlines procedures aimed at facilitating entertainment projects, stimulating domestic tourism, and attracting international tourists.
It stipulated the “updating of the entry visa for tourism in the Foreigners’ Residence Law, to issue tourist visa permits,” while coordinating with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, as well as relevant authorities, to facilitate tourist entry and prepare general policies and strategies for tourism development.
It also called for measures to enhance income sources, create new job opportunities, involve the private sector, provide a modern tourism development model to accommodate both national and foreign investments, attract capital, and promote tourism projects to attract investors.
It also stipulated attracting international companies to invest in the tourism sector without the need for a local agent, along with developing comprehensive plans for tourism promotion, introducing the Kuwaiti tourism product to export markets, creating a local tourism market, increasing the number of tourists, and facilitating their entry into Kuwait.
The measures also include diversifying tourism products across the islands, sea beaches, and all tourist areas in the country. The draft law also outlines the regulation of tourist accommodation services, entertainment services, transportation, and car rentals for tourism purposes, all subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
The draft law also includes provisions for regulating the use of state-allocated lands for tourism development in designated areas and sites, in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations governing state lands and real estate.
The draft law regulating tourism mandates the adoption of the state’s annual plan for organizing festivals, events, exhibitions, and tourism conferences both domestically and internationally.
Attracting Companies
The draft law also stipulates attracting international companies to invest in the tourism sector without the need for a local agent. It includes developing comprehensive plans for tourism promotion, introducing the Kuwaiti tourism product to international markets, creating a domestic tourism market, increasing tourist arrivals, and facilitating their entry into the country.
The measures also involve diversifying the types of tourism products across the islands, sea beaches, and all other tourist areas in the country.
The draft law also includes organizing tourist accommodation services, entertainment services, transportation, and car rentals for tourism purposes, along with coordinating travel insurance services with licensed insurance companies, subject to approval from the relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Information will be responsible for the powers outlined in this law, including the preparation of general policies and strategies for tourism development. These strategies aim to invest in available tourism assets, develop their sustainable resources, and align with the state’s overall policy. The Ministry will also focus on contributing to income sources, creating new job opportunities, and involving the private sector in tourism development.
The draft law also includes the development of businesses, projects, and administrative and financial systems in the tourism and entertainment sectors. It emphasizes ensuring quality by adhering to the latest international standards and specifications.
The draft law mandates relevant government agencies to plan cities, regions, and state-owned projects while ensuring the preservation of tourist destinations and components. It requires that no projects or development plans be approved if they negatively impact these tourism sites.
Land Organization
The draft law regulates the use of state-allocated lands for tourism development, ensuring compliance with existing laws and legislation governing state lands and real estate.
The draft law mandates the adoption of an annual state plan for hosting festivals, events, exhibitions, and tourism conferences both domestically and internationally. It also emphasizes organizing dynamic tourism festivals and entertainment events to attract visitors and generate economic, social, and cultural benefits at the national level. These events may be held individually or as part of larger festivals within a designated timeframe.
Controls and Procedures
A decision by the competent minister will establish regulations for the management and investment of tourist destinations, ensuring compliance with established procedures. This includes setting the necessary standards and requirements for conducting tourism activities.
Additionally, government agencies responsible for planning cities, regions, and state-owned projects must consider the preservation of tourist destinations and components, coordinating with the Ministry of Information before approving any projects or plans that could impact these sites, either temporarily or permanently.
Tourism and hotel facilities will be classified based on international standards and specifications. The Minister will issue a decision outlining the technical and administrative requirements and specifications that must be met by hotel and tourism facilities, tourism activities and festivals, and tourism festival organizing offices. The decision will also specify the necessary qualifications and conditions for employees in these sectors.
The classification’s validity is tied to the license duration, and the sector may modify the classification degree at any time if there are serious justifications for doing so.
A hotel establishment’s license cannot be renewed after its operation ends without obtaining the classification certificate approved by the sector.
Hotel and tourism establishments may request a review of their classification degree each January, following the rules and procedures set by the Minister’s decision.
Tourist Establishment Licenses
A license from the Ministry is required to establish, operate, manage, or exploit a hotel or tourist facility, organize tourist festivals, engage in tourism activities, practice tourist guidance, or hold a tourist festival. This must be done in accordance with the provisions of this law and its executive regulations, which will define the types of licenses, their duration, and renewal conditions.
50 – 500 dinars fees for facilities and activities for events and holidays
The Minister may issue temporary permits for tourist facilities and activities held on special occasions, holidays, and exhibitions. These permits require a fee ranging from 50 to 500 dinars. The regulations will define the specific guidelines and procedures for issuing such permits.
Security Protection for Tourist Sites and Activities
The Ministry shall coordinate with the Ministry of Interior and relevant authorities to establish a mechanism ensuring the protection of tourist sites, activities, and assets, preventing any encroachments. Additionally, it will handle reports, complaints, and violations related to tourism, taking necessary actions and referring them to the competent authorities.
Administrative Penalties
The Minister shall issue a list of violations and administrative penalties applicable to hotel establishments, tourist establishments, activities, and tourist festivals in cases of non-compliance with any provisions of this law. These violations may be settled based on the rules outlined in the regulations.
10 Goals and Actions
- Organizing work in the tourism sector.
- Support and develop tourism activities.
- Encouraging development and investment in the tourism and entertainment sectors.
- Preparing general policies and strategies for tourist attraction.
- Enhancing sources of income, creating new job opportunities and involving the private sector.
- Providing a modern development tourism model to accommodate national and foreign investments.
- Attracting capital, promoting tourism development projects and attracting investors.
- Diversifying the forms of tourism products on islands and beaches.
- Organizing more tourism festivals and entertainment events.
- Creating a Kuwaiti tourism model and promoting it in the region and the world.
