Talks for new Hilton hotel in Kuwait - Paul Hutton

Talks for new Hilton hotel in Kuwait - Paul Hutton By Hamed Al-Ansari (Photos supplied) KUWAIT, July 19 (KUNA) -- General Director of Kuwait Hilton Resort, Paul Hutton said Saturday that talks are underway to build a new Hilton hotel in Kuwait.
Talking to KUNA, Hutton said that many Hilton hotels are under construction in Mecca, Qatar and the UAE adding that there are 15 Hilton hotels in the Middle East.
He added, "Kuwait should take advantage of this current time to boost tourism especially with the end of the war to liberate Iraq" adding that Kuwait has great businessmen who know how to build trade relations in the region.
Hutton said that labour costs in Kuwait is only 15 percent of the hotel total cost compared to 50 percent in neighbouring countries which would boost the hotel profits.
"All hotels in Kuwait are not owned, but are managed by specialised companies with a long management plan." He added.
"Kuwait is the main launch pad for businessmen who wish to go into Iraq for its geographical location and for its fine hotels, most hotels are now packed with businessmen to contribute in the reconstruction of Iraq projects," He said.
Hutton described tourism in Kuwait as good, adding that Kuwait has many facilities to attract tourist such as the Scientific Centre, museums, shopping malls, five star hotels, beaches and amusement parks. "we have around 900 guests in Hilton resorts, most of which are here for the first time, and most are here to build investment relations in Iraq." He added -- He pointed out that Hilton resort is promoting visits to Kuwait in cooperation with Kuwait Airways and other airline, adding that the resort issues a magazine, in both English and Arabic mainly targeting Gulf citizens to promote Kuwaiti tourism.
On the effect of SARS disease on Hilton Hotels sales in Asia, Hutton said there was a substantial drop, adding "other factors also helped in decreasing tourism in Asia such as terrorism and vandalism which greatly threaten the tourism industry.
Due to the war in Iraq and SARS in Asia, domestic tourism boomed in Kuwait with chalets, resorts and hotels packed with Kuwaitis and other nationalities since most of them didn't leave this summer.
Hutton added that Kuwait should take advantage of this tourism as another income and not to depend only on its oil income.
He revealed that a major tourist company will visit Kuwait in November 2004 as part of a 22 country tour where it will visit historical and ancient areas.
He added that the island of Falika will be on the list to visit for its historical background.
Hilton resort, located in Al-Manguf beach, posted 30 million dollars in profit in 2002-2003.(end) Hmd.ash.jsy