Tourism companies are offering travel packages to facilitate the return of expats from countries on the ban list, with prices ranging from KD 260 and KD 500 dinars per person. Kuwait decided to ban travelers arriving from 31 countries as a precaution against the coronavirus, either directly or via transit, unless they have spent at least 14 days in non-restricted countries.
While hotels and companies missed an opportunity to design packages to attract clients, travel agencies quickly announced a range of packages to appeal to customers who wanted to return to Kuwait.
These packages covered hotel costs and airlines fare for travelers to stay in countries not on the ban list during their return trip to Kuwait.
Since the ban was announced, many expat passengers from restricted countries have managed to enter Kuwait after spending 14 to 17 days in countries like UAE and Qatar, neighboring countries which are not on the ban list, and the hotels in the region are benefiting. Taking advantage of the situation, many airlines in the region are also catering to expats wishing to return to Kuwait.
Travel agencies are advertising travel options according to the prices determined for each customer according to three main criteria, which are the airlines and flights, the air ticket prices, and the hotels including whether it is a double or single room. All packages for returning expats include travel tickets, visa and health insurance only, while the customer bears the cost of acquiring a PCR test certificate to show their coronavirus negative status, when traveling to a transit country, or traveling to Kuwait, and any additional cost for food options in hotels.
According to a daily, Egyptian expats took advantage of such a package from a company to return from the international airports of Sohag and Cairo, cities in Egypt, through Sharjah in the Emirates, to reach Kuwait. The package comprised of two travel tickets for a low-cost airline, in addition to a visa, and hotel accommodations until the time they reach Kuwait.
The return cost is higher for other companies, according to the type of airlines. Package companies have offered return at a price of up to KD500 per person for a single room in 4-star hotels, including two Air tickets on one of the international airlines, provided that the transit is in Dubai. While the package includes health insurance that covers the traveler’s stay there.
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