Yemen enjoys a lot of tourist attractions coupled with the cultural diversity. The Yemeni Association for Tourism and Travel helps bring out those strengths of the country.
Mohammed al-Masani of The Yemen Times met with Yahya Mohammed Abdulah Saleh, chairman of the association, to learn more about its role.



Q: How do you view tourism in Yemen. And what are the problems facing it?
A: First, I’d like to thank the Yemen Times for its persistence in writing about tourism in Yemen. Tourism has been the concern of a lot of people here, yet thanks to action taken by the government to ensure better security in the country, things are getting better. Still, the number of tourists visiting Yemen is still far bellow what we expect.

Q. So, how can we create an investment conducive to investment in Yemen?
A. Promoting investment starts with creating an awareness of the importance of the tourism industry. this will generate a clear-cut vision as how to judge Yemen, if it is a country with potential tourism or not.
If we really need Yemen a tourist country there should be a clear vision for how tourism should be like in Yemen and how to promote it. Unfortunately, there are many official authorities closely linked to tourism, which still don’t pay due attention to this issue.
If a wide sector of the public and officials belittle tourism how then tourism can prosper in our country?
Building awareness is of prime importance for developing this sector of the economy since it will bring about security and stability. Thereafter, promoting investment and creating job opportunities would be an easy task.

Q. What’s the principal role of the Yemen’s Association for Tourism & Travel Agencies?
A. The association is in fact the official body grouping all tourism agencies operating in Yemen. As a consequence of the September 11 attacks, many agencies have been forced to shut down or change their businesses. Yet, the association in cooperation with the cabinet, has advised these agencies to take part in operating Haj and Ummra packages to Mecca.
However, there are many agencies operating in this field without licenses being members of the association. The conditions applied to these agencies are not met by them.

Q. Then, what are the conditions required for Haj and Ummra agencies?
A. Amongst the key conditions for licensing such agencies: five year experience in this field, a license from the Ministry of Tourism as well as administrative and financial capabilities.

Q. What are the key challenges of tourism investment in Yemen. And what is provided by Yemen’s investment law?
A. I think that Yemen’s investment law is one of the best in the world. It is as President Ali Abdulah Saleh pointed out also subject to amendments. This shows its flexibility to suit the changes required for real investment.
The shortcoming is not attributed to the law, but rather to administrating it. It is also not only the problem of its application but the problem of the investment climate as a whole. The Sept. 11 attacks is just one case in the point.

Q. What are the impacts of Sept. 11 attacks on tourism business in Yemen?
A. The consequences of the Sept. 11 attacks have been very disastrous. Tourism and travel has been sharply damaged not only in Yemen but in the whole world. The recent Middle East incidents have a similar negative impact.
However, there are many tourist proposals which are just waiting for a more appropriate climate. We in the association are taking into consideration these consequences. We are also tackling these issues. Thus, if we receive any complaints we promptly tackle them within the limits of our own capabilities.

Q. What about your assessment of the future of Yemeni islands as good tourist attractions?
A. Yemeni islands are the center of attention of all authorities, particularly after the demarcation of the maritime borders with Eritrea. A survey for the islands has been recently made. Plus, there are many projects which have been presented for approval, but still this needs careful study for examining its viability.
Further, the government has constructed an airport at Socatra Island.

Q. What about the internal tourism. Can it substitute in anyway foreign tourism?
A. Internal tourism is so varied. We call the Ministry of Education to incorporate tourism within its different curriculum. Yemen undoubtedly enjoys great tourism potential which qualifies it to be a top tourist destination.
We also call the Ministry of Information to assume its role through organizing awareness campaigns in this respect.

Q. Any last comments?
A. I’d like to call the readers of the Times to join in their efforts with different entities involved in promoting tourism to boost this industry as much as possible.
Raising public awareness is of prime importance in this regard.
I also call foreign tourists to come to visit Yemen to see one of the world’s best civilizations. I assure them that they will always be warmly welcomed.

MAHYUB AL-KAMALI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Twelve years after the reunification of Yemen, the new republic is a country making moves on the stage of world trade.
The market-oriented policy adopted by the new Yemen has helped the flow of investment in the country, and more than 25 foreign companies are now operating here.
In turn, Yemen has set up joint committees with more than 20 countries to continue to boost trade relations and investments.
It has completed the construction of Aden Container Terminal, which will help boost trade and industry at Aden Free Zone.
And Yemen is paving the way for its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Such are some of the signs of a growing international presence.
Here are some of the other key steps taken since unification.
First, Yemen signed many development agreements with Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia and Oman.
At the same time Yemen signed another agreement with Oman for financing the Aden Company for Flour Mills & Silos.
It signed agreements with the countries of the Horn of Africa with a view to boosting its economic ties with countries on the other side of the Red Sea.
Yemen broadened its cooperation with Iran through the signing of a number of agreements and memorandum of understanding.
It signed agreements with Poland in 1993, loan agreements with the Arab Fund in January 1994, cooperation protocol with Egypt regarding fisheries June 1996, trade agreements with Morocco in 1996 and agreements with the European Union (EU) in 1997.
It also signed a host of loan agreements with the International Development Association (IDA), Islamic Bank for Development and the Kuwait Bank.
Yemen also got many grants and debits exemptions totaling $6.7 billion and received new loans to supplement the economic reform program from some donor countries.
The Post-reunification Yemen also has taken part in international conferences related to development and trade.
Yemen took part in the first conference for the least developed countries (LDC) in Paris 1990. It called for increasing the assistance to poor countries from 15 percent as well as writing off debits at the second conference held in Rome.
It also partook at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the international conference on population held in Cairo in 1994.
The most important outcomes of the president’s visit to China in 1998 was the signing of an economic trade agreement, as well as promoting investment and a military cooperation.
Also, during the president’s visit to Malaysia, President Saleh signed a trade agreement and a technical cooperation agreement for developing industries.
Within the same Asian tour, president Saleh visited Indonesia and signed many trade and economic agreements.
Yemen has consolidated its ties with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), European Union (EU), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as other world groupings.
Yemen also signed many agreements with Syria, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the field of trade zones development.
The reunification of Yemen has also brought the adoption of the economic reform program under the technical assistance of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as the support of the donor countries toped by Germany, the Netherlands and Japan.
The adoption of the privatization policy has also contributed to the flow of foreign capitals to purchase public enterprises now for sale.