A key but often-overlooked pillar of Kuwait’s economy is its tourism, culture and sports sectors – industries now experiencing strong growth as policymakers work to diversify beyond oil and elevate the nation’s global standing. The sectors’ contribution to economic diversification has increased as cultural assets expand, sporting institutions modernise and private participation grows. As the New Kuwait 2035 long-term development programme establishes a national objective to enhance cultural vitality and recreational infrastructure, sectoral reforms have increasingly been linked to wider productivity and diversification goals outside hydrocarbons.
The national visitor economy is characterised by its selectivity. Kuwait receives a comparatively limited flow of international leisure tourists but hosts a substantial base of regional business travellers, medical visitors and short-stay GCC nationals. Visitor volumes rose after the Covid-19 pandemic, supported by the restoration of airline routes, improvements to entry procedures and the gradual revival of business activity. While Kuwait does not pursue mass tourism, the authorities continue to invest in cultural institutions, upgraded public spaces and new sports facilities to reinforce domestic demand and diversify national income sources. These developments are gradually converging into a more coherent national offering that emphasise heritage, civic culture and accessible sport, in line with Kuwait’s historic positioning as a cultural and regional centre of intellectual capital – in particular coinciding with Kuwait City’s designation as Arab Capital of Culture and Media in 2025.
Cultural Destination
Kuwait’s tourism strategy is in part shaped by its particular geography. With a comparatively small land area, a hot climate for much of the year and limited coastline available for large-scale resort development, the authorities have kept the sector’s ambitions centred on cultural institutions, museums, business travel, public leisure amenities and emerging sports infrastructure. This approach has resulted in controlled expansion but has limited its growth to remain as a more modest destination. As such, culture has emerged as a principal anchor, reflected in the establishment of major performing arts venues and consolidation of museums and other cultural spaces. The sports economy has also gained momentum as the government continues to reform regulatory frameworks, reinstate international cooperation agreements and expand youth participation.
Structure & Oversight
Responsibility for Kuwait’s tourism and cultural development is distributed across several institutions. The Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) plays the lead role in the oversight and regulation of tourism activities, with a mandate that includes visitor promotion, cultural coordination and licensing of tourism establishments. In November 2025 it launched the Visit Kuwait platform to help visitors to the country, including information on activities and tourist sites, and ways in which to obtain a tourist visa. More broadly, the MoIC is set on aligning the national tourism framework more closely with New Kuwait 2035, particularly in relation to public-private cooperation and regulatory streamlining. The entity sees tourism as a main pillar in achieving the national vision, one based on sustainability and coordination between the public and private sectors.
Cultural governance is largely overseen by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), established in 1973 as Kuwait’s central cultural institution. NCCAL manages museums, theatres, archaeological sites and heritage preservation programmes, and is responsible for coordinating cultural festivals and international cultural exchanges. The council leads efforts to restore and maintain archaeological sites such as Failaka Island, situated north-east of Kuwait City. The island is of significant historical importance – with relics from the Bronze Age, Dilmun and Hellenistic periods – undergoing phased redevelopment in 2025.
Sports governance has undergone substantial restructuring in recent years. The Public Authority for Sport (PAS) oversees national sports development, youth participation and sports infrastructure. The reorganisation of sports federations, improvements to governance practices and reconciliation with international bodies following earlier suspensions have allowed Kuwait to reintegrate into global sports networks. The PAS also coordinates with education authorities to strengthen school-level participation and talent development. Meanwhile, the Kuwait Olympic Committee acts as the main body for international sporting representation and regulation.
International connectivity is overseen by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which regulates the aviation sector, airport operations and route development. The DGCA has played a central role in expanding connectivity through Kuwait International Airport, which continues to serve as the principal gateway for leisure, business and medical visitors.
Culture Capital
Kuwait’s designation as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media 2025 has added further momentum to the country’s cultural economy, reinforcing its long-standing position as a regional centre of intellectual and artistic production. Over the course of 2025, there was a sustained programme of festivals, exhibitions, academic symposia and creative initiatives, as part of a coordinated national effort to strengthen cultural participation and elevate Kuwait’s international profile. The celebrations, launched in February of the same year under the patronage of the MoIC and supported by the Arab League of Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation, highlighted Kuwait’s historic influence in Arab cultural life while generating measurable economic benefits through increased domestic consumption, event-linked hospitality demand and heightened activity across creative industries. Institutional reforms, including updates to theatre regulation and, in June 2025, the renaming of the State Appreciation and Encouragement Award as the State Creativity Award, demonstrated the government’s intention to modernise cultural governance and expand recognition for creative excellence.
Strategy Blueprint
New Kuwait 2035 forms the overarching framework for national development and outlines the strategic objectives for cultural, recreational and tourism-related activities. One of the vision’s seven pillars is creative human capital, which is essential to the evolution of the tourism sector. While the plan does not assign specific visitor targets, it does set broad goals for enhancing cultural institutions, expanding public spaces, modernising heritage sites and strengthening the country’s appeal as a centre for regional business activity.
Following the pandemic, the government has undertaken efforts to update tourism policy to improve service quality, streamline licensing and encourage private investment in hospitality and leisure facilities. These measures include simplifying regulations governing hotel classification, easing visa requirements for select nationalities and introducing policies to enhance destination management across urban districts. The introduction of new tourist visa categories in August 2025 includes single-entry visas for 30 days, multiple-entry visas for one year and a category tailored to visitors arriving for particular activities.
Metrics
Tourism in Kuwait operates from a lower base relative to regional peers but has demonstrated consistent recovery since the pandemic. According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) data, the sector contributed KD3.4bn ($11.1bn) in 2025, representing 7% of the economy and reflecting an 8.3% increase on 2024 levels and a 34.4% increase since 2019. Spending by domestic visitors remains the dominant component, underscoring the sector’s reliance on local demand. Domestic tourism expenditure accounted for 72.8% of total sector spending in 2023, with international visitors contributing the remainder.
Employment in the travel and tourism sector reached 177,600 jobs in 2025, equivalent to 8.7% of the labour force. This marks a 5.3% growth on the previous year’s figures and a 31.2% rise from a pre-pandemic peak of 2019, with 135,400 jobs recorded that year, or 6.3% of the country’s total. WTTC estimates suggest that employment levels could reach 227,300 by 2035, a boost of 49.7% on the 2025 baseline.
Kuwait’s visitor base is dominated by regional travellers. Inbound arrivals in 2024 primarily consisted of passengers from Saudi Arabia (30%), India (18%), Egypt (12%), the Philippines (6%) and Pakistan (5%). Domestic versus international visitors and leisure versus business travellers are still split at an approximate 3:1 ratio, as of the latest 2024 statistics. Growth in international visitors spending has grown substantially, reaching an estimated KD878m ($2.9bn) in 2025, an increase of 8% on the previous year and up 117% since 2019. Visitor spending is forecast to grow to KD1.1bn ($3.6bn) in 2035, representing a 2.3% compound annual growth rate, up from the 2025 baseline. Domestic visitor spending has also grown markedly, to reach an estimated KD2.4bn ($7.8bn) in 2025, an increase of 10.7% from 2024 and up 21.7% since 2019.
Kuwait International Airport handled 7.7m arrivals and 15.4m passengers in 2024, up 50% since 2014. Passenger volumes remain below the previous peak of 15.8m recorded in 2019 but are trending upwards. The opening of Terminal 2, currently under construction, is expected to significantly expand capacity over the medium term, supporting broader tourism growth. Other infrastructure projects such as a modernised control tower, improved navigation systems and ground services as well as a new runway are also laying the groundwork to boost passenger numbers, with numbers expected to rise to 20m annually in 2027.
Kuwait International Airport is a hub for both Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, which have both recently expanded their respective networks, contributing to a gradual rise in transit passengers. In summer 2025, Kuwait Airways operated flights to 58 destinations worldwide, adding six new routes compared to the previous season. The new destinations are Athens, Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum, Malaga and Vienna, reflecting the airline’s strategy to expand leisure and business connectivity across Europe and the Mediterranean. In addition, Kuwait Airways and Emirates signed an interline partnership in November 2025, linking Kuwait’s regional routes with Emirates’ global network via Dubai. The agreement enhances passenger convenience through smoother transfers and single-ticket bookings, broadens access to Europe and Asia for Kuwait Airways and supports New Kuwait 2035 by strengthening both business travel flows and leisure tourism, improving the country’s international connectivity and competitiveness.
Accommodation
Kuwait’s hospitality sector remains comparatively small but has exhibited signs of expansion and modernisation. The country hosted approximately 14,000 hotel rooms across 136 properties, which generated nearly 5m saleable room nights in 2024, with upscale or luxury hotels representing 62% of supply. Occupancy was around 45% that year, however, the expectation is that it will increase up to 60% in 2026, due to greater business travel, staycation culture and a growth in conferences.
International brands maintain a strong presence, including Hilton, Marriott, Accor, IHG and Rotana, catering primarily to business travellers, diplomats and long-stay guests. The largest three hotels in Kuwait are Four Points by Sheraton, Jumeirah Messilah Beach and Hilton Garden Inn and are classified in the upscale or luxury segment. Kuwait’s limited leisure tourism base has historically constrained weekend occupancy, resulting in a pronounced weekday bias. However, cultural events and performing arts programmes have begun to support modest increases in weekend demand. As overall demand grows, so does supply. New hotels opening in 2025 included the 207-room Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City, 336-room Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City and the newly renovated, 195-room JW Marriott. Additionally, the renovated 350-room Hilton Kuwait Resort and the 200-room Mandarin Oriental are scheduled to open in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Short-stay serviced apartments continue to perform strongly due to demand from expatriates, medical visitors and extended business travellers.
Culture
Kuwait’s cultural sector is one of its most distinctive national assets. With a history of literary production, theatre, journalism and intellectual discourse pre-dating the modern day, the country has long positioned itself as a cultural centre within the Gulf. Today, this legacy is being reinforced through substantial institutional investment. The NCCAL oversees museums, archaeological sites, festivals and theatre programmes with the mandate to preserve Kuwait’s tangible and intangible heritage, with ongoing work at key sites such as Failaka Island and the Red Fort, where the Jahra Cultural Season runs from November 2025 until February 2026. The season is a platform in being able to promote cultural communication, creative thinking and artists movements to boost cultural activity in the country.
The cultural infrastructure expansion of recent years has been anchored by the establishment of two landmark complexes. The Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Cultural Centre (JACC), opened in 2016, is a major performing arts venue hosting opera, theatre, concerts and national celebrations. It is the largest cultural centre and opera house in the entire Middle East and also forms part of the Kuwait National Cultural District, which aims to become a facility for the creative arts. The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre (ASCC), among the largest cultural complexes in the world, comprises museums devoted to science, natural history, space, robotics and Islamic civilisation. Both the JACC and ASCC offer to draw in domestic and international audiences and position the country firmly on the cultural map.
Public spaces have also taken on increased cultural significance. Al Shaheed Park, one of the largest urban parks in the Gulf, serves as a cultural and environmental platform and hosts exhibitions, lectures, corporate functions and community workshops. Souq Al Mubarakiya, one of Kuwait’s oldest markets, has undergone phased restoration following fire damage in 2022 and remains a focal point of cultural commerce and heritage, with renovations allowing completion in 2025, at a cost of KD6m ($19.5m).
Sports
The sports sector is a central part of Kuwaiti society and has undergone a period of reform and reintegration following earlier challenges related to governance and international suspension. The PAS has led efforts to modernise administrative structures, improve compliance with international standards and expand youth participation initiatives. Football remains the country’s most popular sport, supported by a network of clubs and youth academies. The 26th Arabian Gulf Cup was held in Kuwait from December 2024 until January 2025, with Bahrain defeating Qatar 2-1 in the final in the country’s 60,000 seat Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah International Stadium, which was opened in 2015. The stadium also has a swimming pool, conference rooms and a helipad. It is also home to the Kuwait national team and has begun building momentum, supported by investment in training facilities and coaching infrastructure.
Aside from the international stadium, indoor arenas, athletics tracks and aquatic centres have also been upgraded to support both elite competition and community use. International engagement has also increased since Kuwait’s return to full participation in global sports bodies. Grassroots sport is also receiving significant attention, with the PAS rolling out school programmes, community fitness campaigns, and initiatives to boost participation among women and youth – all aligned with national health goals and the broader vision of fostering an active, skilled and engaged population (see Health chapter).
Events & Niche Segments
Kuwait’s events calendar has expanded gradually over recent years, supported by cultural institutions, private organisers and government entities. For instance, the Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre hosts a year-round programme of performances, international concerts and national festivals, which serve as key demand drivers for the cultural and hospitality sectors. Since 1994, the Qurain Cultural Festival remains a major annual event, attracting artists, writers and performers from across the region in February every year. Business events form an important segment of Kuwait’s tourism economy. In 2024 exhibition licences climbed to 443, a seven-year high and up by 42.4% compared to the previous year. These conferences, industry exhibitions and ministerial summits generate significant visitor traffic and support hotel occupancy throughout the year. In addition, the country’s expanding health care sector has also increased demand for medical tourism, particularly from Iraq and GCC neighbours, particularly in areas such as cardiology, oncology and nephrology.
Outlook
Kuwait’s tourism, culture and sports landscape is expected to continue evolving in line with national diversification objectives and improvements in cultural and recreational infrastructure. While the sector will naturally remain comparatively smaller than those of other economic sectors, it is poised for incremental expansion driven by structural reforms, enhanced service quality, and targeted investment in high-impact cultural and sports assets.
Over the medium term, the opening of Terminal 2 at Kuwait International Airport is expected to improve connectivity and support higher passenger throughput, reinforcing Kuwait’s positioning as a regional centre for business, health care and education-related travel. Cultural institutions will continue to anchor domestic participation and attract niche international visitors, particularly as programming deepens and partnerships with leading global cultural organisations expand. The full rehabilitation of historic districts and archaeological sites will further strengthen Kuwait’s identity-based tourism proposition.
Sports development is likely to accelerate as governance reforms mature and global hosting opportunities increase. Private sector participation is expected to expand, particularly in mid-range hospitality, food and beverage, and events management, while regulatory improvements and streamlined licensing procedures introduced by the MoIC may encourage new entrants and support a more diverse tourism ecosystem.
Long-term growth will depend on Kuwait’s ability to maintain strategic consistency, bolster inter-agency coordination and enhance the quality of visitor-facing services. While challenges remain, such as a limited leisure base and the need for stronger destination management, the sector’s foundations are becoming more structured. With careful planning and sustained investment, the tourism, culture and sports sectors are positioned to play a visible role in the economic transformation over the course of the coming decade. As Kuwait continues to expand its cultural, tourism and sports offerings, it is unclear at the time of publication what the impact of regional geopolitical tensions will be on cross-border travel flows and visitor activity.
