Travel Season: Kuwaitis' Passion Remains Strong Despite Challenges
- Abu Mohammed Al-Waleed: The Kuwaiti market has proven its ability to overcome crises and adapt to changes.
- Nidal Atish: London, Turkey, Thailand, and Vietnam are the top destinations... with a noticeable rise in demand for Malaysia.
- Najda Abdullah: Regional tensions delayed the tourist season.
- Islam Rashwan: Travelers are now balancing safety and cost when choosing destinations.
As the peak of the summer travel season arrived, Kuwait’s tourism sector experienced a start different from previous years. Rapid regional developments cast a shadow over travelers’ decisions, with passengers closely monitoring ticket prices and hotel accommodations, which recorded high levels due to changes affecting the season. Nevertheless, Kuwaitis’ passion for travel remained evident at all times, and they managed to adapt to the season’s variables.
Between the anticipation that gripped a segment of those wishing to travel and the continued interest in traditional destinations preferred by Kuwaitis, travel agents confirmed that the current season progressed at a slower pace than usual, though it was not devoid of positive indicators.
In this context, Nidal Atish, Director of Tourism and Travel, stated that booking levels were not as high as hoped compared to previous years, explaining that anxiety over political and security developments in the region prompted many clients to hesitate in making travel decisions.
He added that demand did not witness the levels Kuwait was accustomed to during the summer season, with some clients opting to postpone their summer trips due to the prevailing situation.
Atish pointed out that most bookings began in late June, when family tourism becomes more active. He noted that London, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, and Azerbaijan were among the most sought-after destinations, with a noticeable increase this year in demand for Malaysia.
He emphasized that rising prices did not completely deter interest in these destinations, clarifying that Kuwaiti families still consider summer travel an essential part of their annual plans despite the high costs.
For her part, Najda Abdullah, General Manager of ATL Travel Company, said that hotel occupancy rates in many global destinations were lower than the usual averages for last June, reflecting the caution that dominated the international travel sector.
She added that some major companies and local institutions took measures to reduce travel expenses by more than 20 percent, by cutting travel budgets for managers and executives, and canceling first-class bookings in favor of business class to rationalize expenditures.
She explained that recent military tensions in the region, along with the temporary closure of some airspace, contributed to slowing down the launch of the tourist season more than usual. She noted that last June witnessed weaker movement before the acceleration of bookings with the start of official holidays and school vacations.
She confirmed that London and Spain topped the list of most requested destinations among her clients, particularly Kuwaitis who own properties in these two countries, in addition to Prague and Budapest, which attract increasing numbers of travelers thanks to competitive ticket price offers.
For his part, tourism expert Abu Mohammed Al-Waleed said that the Kuwaiti market has proven in recent years its ability to overcome crises and adapt to regional and international changes. He pointed out that postponing travel does not mean canceling it, but rather reflects travelers’ desire to wait for more clarity and stability before making a final decision.
He added that Asian destinations are witnessing growing interest this year, particularly Malaysia and Vietnam, thanks to the diversity of tourism options and prices that remain reasonable compared to some European destinations.
For his part, Islam Rashwan, Director of Travel and Tourism, confirmed that many customers have become more cautious, preferring flexible offers that allow for changes to travel dates or partial refunds in case of emergencies.
He noted that travelers are now balancing safety and cost when choosing destinations, which explains the continued demand for countries with political stability and advanced tourism infrastructure, as well as the availability of direct flights from Kuwait.
They pointed out that despite the challenges posed by geopolitical circumstances and somewhat higher travel costs, indicators confirm that Kuwaitis’ passion for travel remains strong, and both traditional and new destinations will continue to attract large numbers of travelers during the remainder of the current summer.
