Goodbye Hilton Mangaf - Hello Blag-13

 It's been a while since I've driven along the seaside of Mangaf, I did notice the Hilton looking a little dark, there wasn't any traffic or movement which is weird as a lot of people are always visiting. I decided to try to stop by the Starbucks, sadly we weren't let in as the Hilton has been closed. I went to their IG page and they closed in November of 2024. 

'After more than 20 years of delivering exceptional, hospitality, Hilton Kuwait Resort will close on 15 November 2024. As a result we are unable to accept and bookings beyond 17 October. We are proud of the legacy of hospitality the hotel has delivered and would like to thank you for your loyalty'

I had read briefly some where about Touristic Enterprises taking over or something, after some research I did find that Mabanee company who is responsible for many projects in Kuwait and abroad, such as Avenues Bahrain.

"Leading Kuwaiti developer Mabanee has signed a KD5.1 million ($17 million) contract with Touristic Enterprises Company for the operation and managment of a resort in Kuwait city.

The resort by top hospitality group Hilton will come up on a 242,436 sq m area in Almangaf beach area, said Mabanee in its filing to Kuwait stock exchange (Boursa Kuwait).

The contract, for Plage 13 (previously Hilton Mangaf), is for a period of 17 years starting from the date of actual operation of the site.

A pioneer in the entertainment and recreation business, Touristic Enterprises Company has largely participated in the tourism development of Kuwait through the varied services it providers in its facilities located around the state.

"The contract signed with Mabanee Company represents the first step towards activating and consolidating the strategic partnerships that the Tourism Enterprises Company is carrying out with the private sector to develop and advance the tourism and entertainment sector," said a company spokesman.

A leading real estate investor, developer, and project manager, Mabanee collaborates with partners to create world-class real estate projects that excite customers and are innovative and recognized for their design, quality, and return on investment.

Last year, it had signed an agreement with Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) for the Sabah Al Ahmad Project (S3), a key mixed-use development coming up on a 40,121-sq m-area in the capital city.

As per the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement, Mabanee will provide the design-and-build services as well as the funding and operation of the KD26 million ($84.6 million) project.

A commercial mixed-use development, S3, boasts a hotel and a shopping mall with the theme of an old Kuwait Souq. It is set to be completed within three years.-TradeArabia News Service"

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