Yemen to hold tourist festival next December

MARIB, Sep. 12 (Saba) - Tourism Minister Nabil al-Faqih said on
Thursday that an international tourist festival would be held next
December at the Ramlat al-Saba'atain desert in Marib province.

Al-Faqih pointed out that the annual festival would promote desert
tourism, noting that participants from the provinces of Marib, Jawf,
Shabwa and Hadramout would take part in the festival.

In a meeting held in Marib and attended by deputy Prime Minister for
Defence and Security Affairs Dr. Rashad Oleimi, al-Faqih said that
Marib province would also be in touristy promoted and marketed in
both Arab and international forums.

"We will support Yemeni craft through the establishment of a
permanent market for handicraft industries", added al-Faqih.

He affirmed that the total contribution of tourism sector to Yemen's
national income amounted in 2007 to YR 84 billion, adding that more
than 50000 people are currently working in the tourism sector
directly and 90000 others work indirectly in this sector.