Yemen beckons Omani tourists

MUSCAT, Nov. 05 (Saba)- In a bid to woo more tourists,
the Yemen Tourism and Promotion Board (YTPB) organised on Sunday a roadshow in Oman
at
Safeer Mall, Oman Time has reported.
The public event showcased the country's amazing sights and provide a window on
Yemen. A traditional dance will be performed featuring artistes from Yemen.
During an interaction with the media persons at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Abdul-Wahab
Mohammed Qasem Shamhan, head of Yemen Ministry of Tourism delegation to Oman,
pointed out
that there has been a positive influx of tourists from the GCC countries this year.
Dispelling fears that Yemen is prone to internal strife, Abdul-Wahab said, "It is
the creation of Western media and Yemen is more safe than the West. It is a
peaceful country
and the peaceful conduct of the Gulf Cup held in Yemen points out to this".
The board has already launched the first stage of a regional and international
tourism promotion campaign and the road show in Oman will try to entice tourists
from Oman
to Yemen, a country known for its rich civilisation and sights evoking the Arabian
folklore.
The Yemen Tourism and Promotion Board (YTPB) continues to develop its tourism
infrastructure and has announced a series of investment programmes designed to
increase visitors
to the country next year, he said.
"The Yemeni Government places great importance on the development of the tourism
sector and its role as a key contributor to the country's economic and social
development,
bringing new job and business opportunities over the next decade," Abdul-Wahab added.
Six new 5-star hotels were recently opened in the port city of Aden for the 20th
Gulf Cup, which began on November 22 and concludes today.
A total of 814 new hotel rooms along with a range of other facilities such as
restaurants, have been completed to host the hundreds of national football team
delegations
and supporters coming in to the country for the football championship.
According to YTPB, the number of new rooms were actually double than the quantity
required for one of the biggest sporting events the country has staged in many
years.
Among the new hotels launched were the Palace Hotel, Aden Hotel, Millennium Hotel,
Mercur Hotel, Sunshine Hotel and Venetia Hotel. In addition, more than a hundred
other
lodgings have been completed, ranging from guest houses to furnished apartments, all
of which will add important tourist capacity to the city. "The Gulf Cup is an
important
showcase for Yemen, not just from a sporting standpoint but also from a tourism
perspective," said Shamhan.
"President Ali Abdullah Saleh recently said that more than YR120 billion had been
invested in the Gulf Cup and the organising committee for the tournament has
lavished praise
on the Yemeni government for ensuring that all technical, organisational, training
facilities, stadiums accommodation as well as security, were in order well ahead of
the
tournament's commencement," he added.
The projects in Aden form part of a bigger tourism development plan which earlier
this year saw YTPB announce a billion-dollar investment programme with six major
projects
now underway along the Yemeni coast. Scheduled for completion in five years time,
the modern, five star, self-contained resort complexes will significantly boost
Yemen's
ambition to become a top global tourist destination.
The projects include Midi coast project in Haja province, Doyma Island, Al Mark
Island in Al Hudaida, which are both located on the Red Sea. In addition, there
will be projects
on the Indian Ocean, one on Ras Al Araa-Khour Omira coast in Lahj province near
Aden, Dabdab coast in Hadramout province, and Jasolit coast in Al Muhra province.
"Yemen is an open museum with unique culture and rich heritage, its natural scenery
and sanctuaries have been listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites, including its very
own
'Galapagos' - the island of Socotra. Yemen is one country with many destinations,"
the official said.
In addition, there were more than 115 other hotels including furnished apartments
available in Yemen for tourists.
Abdul-Wahab added, "Overall, the Yemeni Government is placing great importance on
the development of the tourism sector in contributing to the country's major
economic and
social development and bringing new opportunities in the coming years." In 2006, a
total of 1.6 million tourists visited Yemen while the figure marginally reduced in
2007,
2008 and 2009 but is slowly picking up as people are realising that it is safe to
visit Yemen.
In 2007, 24,000 Omanis visited Yemen while the figure touched 50,000 in 2009.The
best of time to visit Yemen is from November to February and then again from July
to August
when the entire Arabian peninsula bakes, Yemen cools them a bit providing a perfect
time to get out of the GCC and be in Yemen, claim the tourism experts of the region.