The Bubiyan tourism project will include the construction of hotels, chalets and recreational facilities on the island and a causeway to the main island. Covering an area of about 530 square kilometres, the project is planned to be carried out on a build-operate (BO) basis.

A team of the US' HOK Architects, the local Gulf Consult and the UK's Mouchel is acting as consultant for the project. The group is expected to complete by late 2004 a masterplan for the island development and also carry out an environmental impact study. It will also work out specific details of proposed facilities on the island and their estimated cost.

Bubiyan is one of the two Gulf islands northeast of Kuwait bay which the government is planning to develop into major tourist resorts. The other scheme involves Failaka island, covering a total area of 43 square kilometres. It calls for the construction of hotels, chalets, camping sites, recreational facilities and four new jetties.

The client is the Executive Authority for the Development of Kuwaiti Islands, Divided Zones & Major Projects.