Entertainment City: A New Economic Frontier for Kuwait

After nearly a decade of delays, Kuwait’s Entertainment City is poised to become one of the country’s most ambitious tourism and economic development projects. Originally launched in the 1980s and closed in 2016 for renovation, the project has been revitalized with a new vision that aims to transform the site into a major tourism destination capable of attracting global investors, creating thousands of jobs, and contributing significantly to Kuwait’s GDP.

Located in Doha and covering approximately 2.65 million square meters, the project is estimated to cost KD 200 million and is expected to generate around KD 85 million in economic value by 2035. Additionally, projections show it could attract up to 900,000 visitors annually by 2030 and create more than 4,000 new jobs in tourism, hospitality, and related sectors (as per Kuwait Times). These figures highlight Entertainment City’s potential to become a cornerstone of Kuwait’s efforts to build a modern, experience-driven economy.

A central feature of the renewed project is the emphasis on international investment and management. The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) are leading the effort to attract top-tier foreign operators who can bring expertise and global standards to the project. According to KDIPA’s 2023 annual report, the tourism and entertainment sectors were ranked among Kuwait’s most promising areas for foreign direct investment (FDI), with incentives such as full foreign ownership and tax exemptions to boost investor confidence (“KDIPA Annual Report 2023”).

Beyond its economic value, the project also plays a key role in addressing local employment challenges. A 2022 study by the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington found that nearly 80% of Kuwaitis work in the public sector, a statistic that underscores the need for private sector job creation (Azoulay). Entertainment City, with its wide range of planned services—from amusement parks and event spaces to restaurants and hotels—offers an opportunity to diversify the labor market and reduce dependence on government jobs.

Environmental sustainability and zoning have also been priorities throughout the planning process. Multiple government reviews, including those in 2019 and 2024, focused on environmental impact assessments and land-use policy revisions. In July 2024, oversight of the project was officially transferred to the KIA, streamlining responsibility and ensuring a unified strategic approach (“Kuwait Entertainment City”).

Despite its promise, the project still faces key challenges. The decade-long delay demonstrates how government coordination gaps and bureaucratic inefficiencies can stall progress. To avoid repeating past mistakes, decision-makers must maintain transparency, set realistic timelines, and prioritize execution. According to a 2023 report by PwC Middle East, infrastructure and tourism projects in the region often fail due to a lack of stakeholder alignment and follow-through, rather than funding or vision (“Gulf Mega Projects”).

In summary, Kuwait’s Entertainment City has the potential to reshape the country’s tourism and leisure landscape while boosting job creation and attracting global investment. If managed effectively, the project could serve as a powerful example of how strategic planning, international collaboration, and policy reform can reinvigorate a national economy.