Yemen launches tourism campaign in Europe

SANA'A, Aug. 24 (Saba)- The
Tourism Promotion Council (TPC) has decided to start its promotional
campaign in France, Spain, Germany
and the United Kingdom in September.
Fatima al-Horibi, the executive director of the council, said that the
campaign would include presentations of popular folk songs and dances
and distribution of a large
number of brochures and photographs on tourist and archaeological sites
in all the provinces of Yemen.
Yemen is on the one hand known for its historic buildings in the
capital Sana'a and spectacular nature but it is also one of the poorest
countries in the world. Tourism
provides a vital source of foreign capital for Yemen.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, 1.1 million tourists visited the
country in 2009, of those 70 per cent came from the Gulf states.
Al-Horibi added that the council would launch the second stage of the
campaign which is expected to include all the GCC states.
The Media Line quoted Mohamed Shaif, director of Yamanat Tours in
Sana'a, as saying that the Yemeni government has made efforts to attract
more tourists.
Ibrahim Al-Attab, managing director of Yemen Explorers Com in the
capital, said that tourism was up, but added that he was worried not
everyone could afford travel to Yemen
with the economic downturn.
"The local tourism is increasing," Al-Attab told The Media Line.
"Before people only came for one day, but now they stay overnight
because there are good hotels and good facilities." YA