FREE Established 1961 Friday ISSUE NO: 17581 SHAWWAL 29, 1439 AH FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2018 Preparations in full swing ‘Hipster’ coffee brews Seven-time champion Serena to 7 for pearl-diving expedition 24 up change in Qatar 46 face Kerber in Wimbledon final A house of hidden treasures in Faiha See Pages 4, 5 and 6 2 Friday Local Friday, July 13, 2018 PHOTO OF THE DAY Tourism in Kuwait Local Spotlight By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] he Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) launched its latest summer activities with the opening of the TShams Beach (Sun Beach). The company said it decided to refurbish and redesign the beach next to the swimming pool complex on the Gulf coast as an ideal des- tination for the entire family during this season. The com- pany also said a number of ambitious projects are being studied in collaboration with a number of consultants and international institutions in line with its long-term strate- gic development plans. But the beach came under attack on social media, and most comments were negative and mocking. Twitter users compared this local entertainment project with similar projects in Dubai and Jeddah. Some expressed dissatis- A seagull flies backdropped by the Kuwait City skyline. — KUNA faction with the level of the games on “Sun Beach”. One person commented the beach was more likely to be oper- ated by a chalet and not a government company. Another wondered if this is a real tourism project. The announcement of the “Sun Beach” reminded peo- ple of the opening of the “Water City” in August 2016, Football: A game to die for which was also confronted by a wave of ridicule and anger. The minister of information and youth had opened own net while playing against the United States, which that project and faced much criticism, especially with the JUST KIDDIN’, SERIOUSLY caused Colombia to be eliminated. Five days after the exaggerated media campaigns by the ministry of informa- match, he was murdered. tion to market this venture. Another shocking incident happened in Lebanon two I think that Kuwait, despite the heat and bad climate, weeks ago when 25-year-old Mohammad Zaher was has elements if used well. These could be an encouraging By Sahar Moussa stabbed to death for celebrating the victory of his favorite factor for tourism, but the problem is the absence of a team Brazil in a knockout match and after criticizing [email protected] tourism strategy which could determine what kind of Germany over how they did not play well against South tourism we want to promote. Countries that place tourism Korea. The attacker was a Germany fan who didn’t take it as a priority for increasing income, for example, have a xcitement, joy and cheers are what watching foot- lightly and stabbed him to death. ball games is all about. Screaming, jumping up and clear vision of what can be provided to tourists and what According to DW.com, during this year’s World Cup, at down and wracking nerves make football the num- are their needs. Kuwait is still closed to tourism develop- E least two separate incidents have been reported from the ber one sport in the world. Every four years, the FIFA ment in the absence of such will and a lack of a competi- United Kingdom. In one, a football fan was thrown off a tive product that could attract tourists. World Cup is held and there is no doubt it has a huge fan base. The goose bumps start during the national anthem. car hood; in the other, British football fans smashed glass- I do not know what can be even offered to citizens and es and caused mayhem in a pub. The Russian press has expats to stay in the country. People do not mind spend- The feeling of patriotism strikes your body and you feel a tingling in your toes that reaches every part of your body. also reported disruptive fans creating a nuisance in stadi- ing money in Dubai or Oman, for example, for a short ums. In the past, worse has happened. A French policeman vacation, even if it is expensive, because there is enter- Even if you are jobless, homeless and your country hasn’t been kind to you, at this moment your country will suffered brain damage after being severely beaten by tainment for the entire family and their needs and privacy German fans in 1998’s France versus Germany match. are also respected. become the most magnificent nation in the world to you. If your country didn’t make it to the World Cup and it Although Indians are known for their love of cricket, I can’t think of tourist attractions here other than the happens that you support a specific country or team, your this charming game was able to take the life of Dinu Alex Kuwait Towers and Souq Mubarakiya, as there are no love and loyalty for this team will make you memorize and Andto, a 30-year-old Argentina football fan from Kottyam entertainment and cultural programs provided by hotels even sing the anthem along with the players. in Kerala. Andto was devastated after his beloved team for tourists, other than shopping complexes. Even the old Football is a global game for so many reasons. No mat- Argentina was defeated by Croatia and committed suicide. airport does not have any displays of Kuwaiti culture, ter from what background you are, rich or poor, you can He jumped into a river, leaving behind a suicide note that products, exhibits or places to visit. So the visitor only play football. No matter what color your skin is, black or read: “Nothing is left for me to see in this world. I am leav- wants to get out of the airport quickly to find a taxi or a white, you can play football. No matter from which coun- ing. Nobody is responsible for my death.” friend. Even the national holidays, which are supposed to try you come from, Third World or First World, you can It is only a few days before the end of the 2018 World forge a national tourism identity, are an opportunity to play football. No matter where you are, in the house or Cup, and hopefully this powerful game will spread nothing escape from the country because of the phenomenon of street, you can always manage to make space and play but positivity, kindness and acceptance between humans, water wastage. football. It is a universal game that can unite rivals and Kuwait has a large number of decent hotels, restau- whatever the results are. Whether you are feeling angry make them meet in the middle for the love of this incredi- because your team lost or bliss because your team scored rants and cruises, but it remains to be decided whether we ble game. On the day that your team is playing, the intense really want tourists or not and what we have to offer to and win, try to have a positive attitude. After all, football and strong energy in the field when people get together makes everyone equal in sadness or happiness. So let us them. Is it cultural or recreational or maritime or business with all their differences is unexplainable. tourism? So far, there is no orientation. It is also neces- respect each other’s victory or defeat. And yes, there is no But this game is a double-edged sword - as much as it doubt that football is a game of passion and culture, but it sary to activate the role of the private sector in the field of is beautiful, it can also be ugly. It’s so powerful that it can can also be a game to die for. Who will win the 2018 tourism development. I think the people’s attitude to the be deadly sometimes. After the 1994 World Cup, World Cup? Is it France or Croatia? Honestly I support Sun Beach is normal because people compare what is Colombian defender Andres Escobar was shot six times to both teams but there is only one team bringing the cup offered to them here with neighboring Gulf countries and death because he accidently deflected the ball into his feel that we are not lacking anything to be like them! home and may the best team win. Good luck. 4 Friday Local Friday, July 13, 2018 The house of By Nawara Fattahova any people in Kuwait are not aware of the treasures on display in a private museum in Faiha, owned by Saud Al-Turaiji. Turaiji has spent years collecting about one and a half Mmillion items from all over the world, and has placed them in his museum to give people an opportunity to enjoy them. Turaiji has been collecting antiques since he was 12 years old. “My passion of collecting old items started when I was a child. But it wasn’t easy at first. I faced many problems with my family, as the first items I brought home were things that our old neigh- bors left in their houses when they moved from our old neighborhood in Qibla, and later Mirqab, in 1954. My mother feared we might get infected with diseases if the owners of these items were sick. She banned me from bringing them into the house, so I had to keep them on the roof,” he told Kuwait Times. Friday 5 Local Friday, July 13, 2018 praise my hard work. Unfortunately, two years ago, I lost many items in a fire that burned a great part of the museum,” he rued.