World Report

Hassan Wanli
Resident Manager of the Kuwait Crowne Plaza
“Kuwait has the potential to become a tourist destination”

lthough Kuwait is not short on first-class luxury hotels and Kuwaitis are accustomed to receiving the very best in accommodation and services, the country’s tourism sector has until recently remained relatively untapped and largely dedicated to catering to the business traveller. Now however, the government is intent on developing the country’s potential for leisure tourism and has several large-scale projects underway to create resort areas on the Failaka and Bubyan islands in the Persian Gulf.

“Kuwait has the potential to become a tourist destination,” comments Resident Manager of the Crowne Plaza Kuwait Hassan Wanli. “It has very nice weather and beaches. Within a few years the country will begin to attract leisure tourists.” In the meantime, Kuwait’s hospitality industry will continue to provide its unparalleled service to the increasing number of international business travellers who are being lured by new opportunities both in Kuwait and Iraq. According to Mr Wanli, occupancy in the Crowne Plaza has risen significantly in the last two yeas. He explains, “At first the Crowne Plaza was a place to accommodate people on their way to Iraq but then it became a place where people settled in order to do business in Iraq.” Accordingly, the Crowne Plaza offers full business support for its guests, including a business club and a business centre boasting the latest in computer technology. The hotel is also equipped with a wi-fi system and high-speed connection.