More Photos

I have always had a fascination with countries that have emerged from conflict and strife and thrived on their new found freedoms. Vietnam, for example – which has established itself as one of the world’s great exotic destinations. So it was with a mix of personal curiosity and professional knowledge enhancement that I embarked on a ‘weekend break’ to the tiny Gulf State of Kuwait.

Now don’t get me wrong – I like my destinations on the warm side. But when the airport thermometer is showing 37c at midnight, you know you’ve arrived somewhere hot, hot, hot. And given that this is a desert state with predictable thermometer busting summer temperatures, I discovered that the population's obsession with the weather ranks alongside our own. It is a constant topic of conversation! But I guess when the mercury is showing 55c, it is more an issue of how to survive the journey (no matter how short) from air-conditioned building to air conditioned wheels.

Getting to Kuwait was interesting to say the least. I flew with Kuwait Airways across eastern Europe and western Iran on their 4-engined Airbus 340 and the flight and service were fine. The final stretch of the journey did however take me by surprise. Kirkuk, Baghdad and Basra are city names seared in our recent conscience, so to be flying over (or very near to them) was at once worrying and exciting too.

UK visitors will require an invitation and visa, which can be pre-arranged and collected on arrival at the airport in Kuwait City. I pre-arranged taxi transfers to avoid any kind of line-up in the heat and the trip to downtown Kuwait took around 40 minutes. I stayed at the new 5-star beachfront Movenpick Kuwait Al Bidaa hotel. Local in the Free-Trade zone (so great for business trips), the hotel enjoys a spectacular waterfront location on Shuwaikh Bay, with 200 metres of private landscaped oceanfront and five stunning swimming pools. Food is served buffet style with a-la-carte options and was of high quality and the service excellent.

My hosts – a group of local travel industry stalwarts represented the heady mix of populations that make up Kuwait. Lebanese, Egyptians, Indians, Bangladeshi’s, Phillipinos…. Their insight into that period and its affect on the Kuwaiti ‘psychi’ was fascinating. What is clear, is that in line with other countries in the region, Kuwait has now emerged from that turmoil with ambitious plans to establish itself as a commercial hub for the region. New hotels and tourism infrastructure projects also suggest they aim to attract leisure as well as business travellers in the years to come.

It is still possible to catch a glimpse of how life in this unique state used to be. But much of the old in Kuwait City is being replaced with gleaming high-rise, which is a shame but such is the pace of change and future ambition.

I ate in and out of the hotel and all the familiar fast-food faces are in town. I dined lavishly (with a little guidance from my Kuwaity friends) at the Shabestan Persian Restaurant, located in the Crowne Plaza hotel, experiencing the taste of sublime and classical Persian cuisine. Quite an experience – I didn’t need to eat again for two days!

Kuwait City Airport has been completely rebuilt and is spacious, clean and offers a good range of shops and restaurants. It is important to know that Kuwait is a ‘dry’ destination with no alcohol rules strictly observed. This applies also to its national air carrier, so be prepared for the delights of a delicious array of fresh fruit juices in-flight but G&T’s are most definitely off the menu!

It may be a while before Kuwait hits the most popular tourist destinations list. It is however an increasingly important place to do business and I am sure my experiences will help anyone planning a visit. Just give me a call.