The Kuwaiti Travel and Tourism Agencies Association (KTTAA) revealed that more than 430 travel and tourism offices are facing bankruptcy and judicial prosecution under the restrictions that have harmed the tourism sector and owners of small travel companies, reports Al-Anba daily.
In a press statement, the association revealed it is surprised by the insistence to close the economy in a way which has not been seen in most countries affected by the coronavirus epidemic.
The association pointed out that saving the travel sector from complete collapse can be done with adherence to the following measures:
■ Introduce the government study on allowing expats to enter from the 31 countries on the ban list, as long as they spend 14-day institutional quarantine in local hotels. This will revitalize the Kuwaiti airline sector and save more than 430 small travel agencies, in addition to improving occupancy in hotels, and boosting many sectors related to the arrival of travelers, such as food, transportation and others. Presently, expats are spending the 14-day quarantine period in hotels in other destinations like Dubai and Istanbul. These destinations get the benefit of increased funds to their tourism sector. Then, the expats enter Kuwait to undergo home quarantine for another 14 days.
■ Abolish the 14-day home quarantine for Kuwaitis arriving in the country and be satisfied with the PCR certificate which should be issued 72 hours from the date of travel until their arrival at Kuwait International Airport. Reduce the home quarantine period to one week only, instead of the current home quarantine period, as long as the person has a PCR certificate. This procedure is currently being utilized in Qatar and Bahrain.