The Economic Impact of Tourism in Kuwait: A Literature Review

This literature review examines the economic benefits of tourism in Kuwait, comparing it with neighboring countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar. The review highlights how tourism can boost Kuwait's economy, create jobs, and improve the country's image, aligning with the "New Kuwait 203...Read More

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Tourism in Kuwait
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Literature Review: Tourism in Kuwait
Question: How has tourism benefited Kuwait?
Introduction
Tourism is an important sector in many countries. It is helpful in generating income for the
country as well as advertising the country. In this study, it is essential to have a better
understanding of how tourism has benefited Kuwait. Therefore, the inquiry questions for
this study is “How has tourism benefited Kuwait?” in addition, neighboring countries and
states have to be studied so that their tourism sector is understood. In this case, the inquiry
question will be, “How does tourism benefit the neighboring countries?” The neighboring
countries, in this case, include Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar. For a better
understanding of tourism in Kuwait and its neighbors, I five articles was used to getting
information. These articles explained the importance of tourism and how the countries are
promoting it.
Kuwait’s Tourism Sector
Kuwait's’ tourism sector has been noted to be one of the best avenues for improving the
country’s economy. This is in relation to development plans set by His Highness, Amir Sheikh
Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah especially for “New Kuwait 2035.” The benefits of this
will lead to making Kuwait a financial and commercial sector. In addition, the sector has led
to the development of the nation by new hotels being constructed hence a high number of

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employed citizens. Tourism has also helped in giving the country a positive image. The
country has also been recognized by the World Tourism Organization to be one of the best
tourism destinations.
According to the article “Tourism development in Kuwait” by Paris, Marochi, and Rubin
(2017), the tourism sector was faced by many obstacles like the lack of infrastructure. The
country also depended on oil for economic growth. However, the growth of the sector has
seen the construction of hotels such as Four Seasons, Hilton, Intercontinental and Jumeirah.
There is also an increase in leisure tourist after the construction of $85 billion Silk City and
the Failaka Island worth $3.3 billion, (Paris et al., 2017, 3). By investing more in the tourism
sector, a lot of revenue will be collected and more jobs will be available for the citizens.
A comparison of tourism in neighboring countries.
Tourism in Dubai
Just like Kuwait, the tourism sector in Dubai has been on the increase. It has led to positive
impacts on the community both economically and socially. Economic impact includes the
availability of jobs for the people, increased revenue by offering services and the
development of hotels and tourist destinations. Notable tourist destinations include the Burj
Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and Palm Jumeirah. Social benefits mainly
include the interconnection between tourists and the community. The community members
are seeing the benefits of embracing tourism as an economic activity hence increasing their
income, (Khan et al., 2017, 2279).

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Tourism in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been a tourist destination for many years. It is mainly loved for religious
purposes with the main one being pilgrimages to Mecca by Muslims all around the world. As
such, the country is known for religious tourism. Compared to its neighbors, it has had a
good environment for promoting tourism compared to its neighbors. Muslims also make
Ziarat trips to shrines, mosques as well as tombs that are closely associated with saints,
Mohammed, martyrs, and imams. The huge masses bring in a lot of revenue to the
government and religious groups hence improving the livelihood of the people, (Timothy &
Iverson, 2006, 186)
Tourism in Iran
For tourism to thrive, the population has to be involved. This is similar to Kuwait where
communities are empowered to provide services to tourists as well as labor. In Iran, a
positive attitude towards tourism is being promoted so that the locals can benefit
economically. Tourism is also seen as a factor that brings in positive sociocultural impacts in
the society. In the regions of Shiraz, communities have been able to get improved health
and educational services, (Aref, 2010, 261)
Tourism in Qatar
In Qatar, tourism has shown a positive impact on the economy and individual’s lives. For
instance, income levels have increased through the sale of services and goods associated
with the tourism sector. According to Demirhan and Caglar (2018), Qatar has been able to

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witness an increase in the tourism sector especially after the government’s support. In most
cases, the country has been able to promote itself as a tourist destination.
Conclusion.
From the articles above, it is evident that many countries in the Middle East such as Kuwait
are tourist destination sites. It is also notable that tourism is able to boost the economy as
well as personal earnings. Governments should be at the forefront of wooing investors such
as hotel owners and constructing airports and good roads for transportation. Apart from
depending on oil, tourism is without a doubt the best alternative for improving the
economy.

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References
Tourism in Iran
Aref, F., 2010. Residents' attitudes towards tourism impacts: a case study of Shiraz,
Iran.
Tourism Analysis,
15(2), pp.253-261. https://books.google.co.ug/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=L2h9DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA9&dq=Demirhan,+A.+and+%C3%87a
%C4%9Flar,+M.,
+2018.+Tourism+and+income+level:&ots=RkAg41Ebl6&sig=QJjif5pf2QU36ZEysewSs8otI0U&
redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Tourism in Qatar
Demirhan, A. and Çağlar, M., 2018. Tourism and income level: comparison of countries by
the travel and tourism competitiveness index.
Tourism human rights & sustainable
environment, p.9. https://books.google.co.ug/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=L2h9DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA9&dq=Demirhan,+A.+and+%C3%87a
%C4%9Flar,+M.,+2018.+Tourism+and+income+level:
+comparison+of+countries+by+the+travel+and+tourism+competitiveness+index.
+Tourism+human+rights+
%26+sustainable+environment&ots=RkAg41E9m_&sig=xe5qLVbLIpBFFiet6XTDjcbQQYg&red
ir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

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Tourism in Dubai
Khan, M.S., Woo, M., Nam, K. and Chathoth, P.K., 2017. Smart City and Smart Tourism: A
Case of Dubai.
Sustainability,
9(12), p.2279. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/12/2279
Tourism in Kuwait
Paris, C.M., Marochi, B. and Rubin, S., 2017. Tourism development in Kuwait: examining the
political-economic challenges in a unique rentier economy.
International Journal of
Diplomacy and Economy,
3(4), pp.301-315.
https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJDIPE.2017.088843
Tourism in Saudi Arabia
Timothy, D.J. and Iverson, T., 2006. 13 Tourism and Islam.
Tourism, religion and spiritual
journeys,
186. https://books.google.co.ug/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PcN-
AgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA186&dq=Timothy,+D.J.+and+Iverson,+T.,
+2006.+13+Tourism+and+Islam.+Tourism,+religion+and+spiritual+journeys,
+186.&ots=XWOSLDAVtY&sig=QOy2b6xjeKyqQxJHzsyn1WzEQEs&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&
q&f=false