There is also a restaurant and viewing platform with panoramic views of the coastline to visit.

Of Islamic interest, the Museum of Islamic Antiquities contains more than 20,000 pieces of rare Islamic antiques and 7000 books, while the Tariq Rajab Museum houses ancient manuscripts of the Holy Koran, musical instruments, antique Arabic Islamic furniture and clothing, hand painted Arabic scripts, Islamic pottery and Arabic jewellery.

Getting to Kuwait

 

"Kuwait is one of the region's most important business markets and there is significant need for more lavish and elegant hotel rooms."

Visas on arrival are now available for 35 nationalities and residents of the GCC, making it easier to enter the country and inbound flights to Kuwait are also additionally offered by all the major international and regional airlines.

Kuwait Airways claims one of its "visions and goals" is "to become the preferred carrier for inbound business travellers" and with 26-plus Middle Eastern destinations under its belt, is well on the way to achieving that goal.
 

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Another Kuwait-based airline, low-cost carrier (LCC) Jazeera Airways, serves 22 regional cities new while start-up carrier Wataniya Airways will be launching a Kuwait-based premium airline in 2009 with routes yet to be determined.

Etihad Airways flies twice daily from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait operating morning and evening flights. The airline recently opened a sales office in the city to further strengthen its presence in the country.

Sharjah-based LCC Air Arabia also serves Kuwait with two flights daily and fares averaging 40% less than regular economy class airlines.

Arabia witnessed a 14% increase in traffic between Sharjah and Kuwait during the first half of 2008, with roughly 83,000 passengers comprising a varied mix of families, students, business and leisure travellers.

According to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Kuwait International Airport saw increases across all sectors during August with total passenger arrivals up by 7% to 448,663 - a positive indicator for the in-bound tourism industry.

Hotel developments

As a business travel destination, Kuwait currently offers around 5000 rooms in 20 properties strongly represented by the major international hotel chains with occupancies averaging 62% in 2007.