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New draft law to regulate, promote tourism in Kuwait

Ministry of Information, which is mandated to oversee and promote tourism in the country, has in coordination with relevant authorities, prepared a new draft law to regulate tourism in Kuwait. The draft law is in line with the country’s drive to promote and support the tourism sector by developing tourism activities, encouraging investment, and fostering growth.

In a letter addressed to the relevant entities, the ministry requested them to study the draft law and submit their comments and suggestions within 10 days. The law is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers once it has been fully reviewed and all comments from the relevant authorities have been taken into consideration.

The draft law includes 38 articles and procedures aimed at promoting entertainment projects, stimulating domestic tourism, and attracting tourists. Among others 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 involves national and foreign investments, attracts capital, promotes tourism projects, and encourages investment. The document also emphasizes attracting international companies to invest in the tourism sector without the need for a local agent.

The draft also focuses on developing diversified tourism products, leveraging the country’s varied geographic areas that include among others islands and beaches with the aim of enhancing the variety of attractions for visitors. The measures also include developing comprehensive plans for tourism promotion, marketing Kuwaiti tourism products globally, creating a domestic tourism market, and increasing tourist arrivals in the country.

A license from the Information 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.

The draft law also includes provisions for classification of tourism and hotel facilities based on international standards and specifications, with the aim of regulating tourism services related to accommodation, entertainment, transportation, and car rental for tourist purposes, all of which would require approval from the relevant authorities.

The draft tasks the concerned minister to issue a decision outlining the technical and administrative requirements and specifications for classification 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.

Provisions in the draft law provide 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. The draft law also calls for the adoption of an annual state plan for hosting festivals, events, exhibitions, and tourism conferences both domestically and internationally, with the aim of organizing dynamic tourism festivals and entertainment events to attract visitors and generate economic, social, and cultural benefits for Kuwait.

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., either temporarily or permanently.

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. 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.

The Ministry of Information 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.

The concerned 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.

The Ministry of Information will be responsible for the powers outlined in the draft 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.



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