Visitors to Kuwait spent 204.6 million dinars in first four months of 2026
. . . using bank cards issued outside the country, highlighting the sustained contribution of foreign spending to the local economy
- Visitors to Kuwait spent more than KD 204 million during the first four months of 2026, with electronic purchases accounting for over 80 percent of transactions, underscoring the continued contribution of foreign spending to the country’s retail, hospitality and services sectors.
Visitors to Kuwait spent approximately KD 204.6 million during the first four months of 2026 using bank cards issued outside the country, highlighting the sustained contribution of foreign spending to the local economy.
According to data from the Central Bank of Kuwait obtained by Al-Anba, purchases through point-of-sale (POS) terminals accounted for the majority of spending at KD 167.6 million, or 81.9 percent of the total. Cash withdrawals from ATMs reached KD 37 million, representing 18.1 percent.
January recorded the highest level of foreign card usage at KD 69.7 million, followed by KD 60.2 million in February. Spending then declined to KD 39.5 million in March and KD 35.2 million in April.
The strong performance during the first two months of the year coincided with Kuwait’s peak tourism and shopping season, including Hala February events and increased consumer activity. The subsequent slowdown in March and April was attributed to regional geopolitical developments that affected travel and visitor movement, reports Al-Anba daily.
The data also showed that foreign visitors increasingly relied on electronic payments, with spending through POS terminals reaching nearly 4.5 times the value of cash withdrawals. On average, foreign card spending amounted to KD 51.2 million per month during the January-April period.
The figures underscore the importance of visitor spending in supporting Kuwait’s retail, hospitality and service sectors, while demonstrating the local market’s ability to attract foreign consumer expenditure despite regional challenges.
