KUWAIT, May 14 (KUNA) -- Travel World Expo 2012 kicked off here Monday, with the participation of 30 local and international travel agencies.

"This exhibition have become a much-awaited annual event for travel lovers in Kuwait," said Assistant Undersecretary of Ministry of Communications Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi in his opening speech, he read on behalf of Communication Minister Salem Mutheeb Al-Utheina.

"It also sheds light on tourist destination in the State of Kuwait," he added, wishing it would help revive local tourism industry.

The three-day event, held at the Kuwait International Fairs Ground, provides consumers a great opportunity to meet with travel industry representatives that showcase a wide array of destinations from a relaxed getaway to an exotic retreat in Kuwait.

Travel World Expo offers a huge platform for tour operators in Kuwait, Arab and non-Arab countries to explore their marketing strategies, as they get to meet a number of customers coming from different parts of the world.