Government has roles to promote tourism: Yemeni diplomat says

MILAN, Oct. 28 (Saba) - Yemen ambassador to Italy Shaya Zindani affirmed Wednesday the importance of enhancing coordination between the two Yemeni Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism to promote tourism sector in the country.

On the sideline of Yemen's tourism promotion campaign in Europe, Zindani expressed his happiness for holding such tourist events at a commercial and economic center in Italy.

He highlighted Yemen's tourist components need to be introduced in the European countries through implementing such activities.

The Yemeni diplomat also noted to his country's interest in tourism sector, pointing out it is one of the main pillars that the national economy stands on.

Zindani wished that such efforts would continue to attract more European tourists to Yemen in the future.

Last week, Yemen launched in Italy's city of Milan a tourism promotion campaign that comes within the second such campaigns Yemen has launched in Europe.

The campaign was organized by the Tourism ministry, the Tourism Promotion Board and the Italian Interview Firm for Public Relations and comes within this year's half-month tourism promotion in Britain, France, Italy and Germany.

Many activities including folklore dances and artist events took place in the Temporary Shop Hall in Milan that were attended by chairman of the Tourism Promotion Board Ahmed al-Bail and interested Italians.

A photo gallery of Yemen was opened at the hall including photographs picked from around Yemen.

The campaign was launched October 18 to promote Yemen tourism includes London, Paris, Milan and Frankfort.

The first campaign was launched in November 2007.

Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Board Alwan al-Shaibani has urged the European states to limit warnings over travel to Yemen, assuring them Yemen is doing its utmost to tackle all forms of terrorism.

"Yemen is a partner in the global war against terror, hence, the international community should support Yemen to face economic obstacles", he said, affirming security prevails in most Yemen.

Yemen has taken all necessary measures to ensure a safe tourist movement in it, including the establishment of a special unit to protect tourists and another unit of tourist problem management which was established in association with the World Tourism Organization, adopting a program bringing the civil society to be a government partner at Yemen's attractions, and has captured many wanted suspects in connection with terrorist acts, he said in a news conference held in Milan.

In addition to all this measures, Yemen has adopted an automatic system to monitor tourist convoys; launched an extensive campaign to disarm the public; and started essential amendments to penal laws criminalizing kidnapping and attacking visitors, he told reporters.

Al-Shaibani also answered questions on the qualities of Yemen tourist products, saying Yemen has distinguished tourist products that can't be seen in other countries.

FJ/AF