Kuwait, Saudi look to unlock tourism potential

10/09/2026

MANAMA, Sept 10, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture, Omar Al- Omar, discussed with Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb ways to expand bilateral cooperation in tourism and related fields. The meeting took place on Thursday on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of GCC ministers responsible for tourism, held in Manama, Bahrain. Both sides reviewed the deep-rooted fraternal and historic ties between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and explored avenues to strengthen cooperation in tourism-related sectors to support and develop the industry in both countries.

They also discussed several issues of mutual interest, stressing the importance of continued coordination, cooperation, and the exchange of expertise and experience in tourism in a manner that maximizes the benefits of both countries’ resources and capabilities and boosts tourism flows between them. The meeting underscored the two countries’ shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in areas that serve their common interests. Also on Thursday, Al-Omar participated in the 10th meeting of ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Chaired by Bahraini Minister of Tourism Fatima Al-Serafi and attended by GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi and tourism ministers from across the Gulf, the meeting emphasized the need to sustain joint Gulf efforts to enhance cooperation and coordination in tourism and advance joint Gulf action. Ministers highlighted the importance of developing the sector’s components and strengthening the GCC’s position as a regional and international tourist destination.

The meeting addressed a range of topics related to developing the tourism sector, enhancing cooperation, and exchanging expertise and experiences among GCC countries to support joint tourism initiatives and projects and revitalize intra-GCC tourism movement. Kuwait’s participation in the meeting reaffirmed its interest in developing the tourism sector and enhancing Gulf cooperation in this field, in line with rapid regional and international developments and the GCC countries’ drive to diversify the tourism product and leverage the wealth of resources available across the Arab Gulf states.