The Avenues Mall The Avenues Mall

KUWAIT: The bustling indoor malls have emerged in the past years as one of the most popular attractions to foreign visitors to Kuwait, especially those from the neighboring Gulf countries.

This fact has spurred the government and private sector to invest more in developing this sector to meet the demands and satisfy the diverse tastes of the visitors. Several new shopping malls have opened in Kuwait in recent years including Al-Hamra mall, 360 Mall, Symphony Mall, The Avenues, The View Mall, The Gate Mall, Miral Complex, the Cube mall and others.

"Due to the tough desert weather of Kuwait, malls have become a default destination to both tourists and Kuwait residents," noted the Mabanee Company, the owner of the Avenues shopping mall, said in statement yesterday. It pointed out that the number of Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti visitors to shopping malls is steadily growing especially in the peak times, summer and national vacations.

Mudon Ahlia Real Estate Company Chief Executive Office Omar Najem echoed a similar view. Shopping malls come at the top of list of tourist destinations in Kuwait for Gulf nationals, particularly in weekends and vacations, Najem said. He explained that visitors wander the air-conditioned malls seeking refuge from the scorching heat and satisfying their appetite for material goods. - KUNA