The Crowne Plaza Kuwait has a choice of seven quality restaurants

he number of foreign visitors arriving in Kuwait City is on the rise. Despite the tumultuous events north of the border over the past year or so, many believe that at least there is now virtually no-one on earth who does not know about Kuwait. Hani Kafafi, General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Kuwait and Director of Operations, Northern Gulf InterContinental Hotels Group, describes it as one of the “biggest advertising campaigns” ever. After all, there are always two sides to everything.

The Crowne Plaza Kuwait, a leading place to stay in the city, has benefited from the upturn in arrivals. Mr. Kafafi says the emphasis is still mainly business. “In reality Kuwait is a business city,” he says. “At present the tourism traffic that we receive is regional. Most people come from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar.”

HANI KAFAFI General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Nonetheless, he believes there is scope to market the destination to a wider audience. Kuwait’s cultural background offers a unique insight into the Arab way of life. This might include visits to ‘diwaniyas’, an evening political forum that can influence proceedings in parliament the next day. “For a non-Arab it is a unique experience,” says Mr. Kafafi. From an American perspective, other areas of interest might include Kuwait’s oil history and the development of the giant Burgan field, the second largest in the world and now producing for over half a century. Then there are great beaches, luxury shopping malls, and the hot but dry climate. On top of this Kuwait offers all other modern amenities such as clean water, good hotels and restaurants, plus high quality service – among the best in the world. “I have no doubt that once tourism becomes a priority then it will develop and people will come.”

The Crowne Plaza Kuwait is setting the pace with seven quality restaurants of its own – offering everything from Iranian and Lebanese cuisine to French, Japanese, and American – plus a 24-hour gym and high-speed wireless interconnectivity throughout the hotel.