[04/03/2024 02:14]

RIYADH-SABA

The Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muamar al-Eryani discussed Monday with the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, the areas of cooperation between the ministry and the organization in the field of tourism and ways to enhance and develop it.

During the meeting, which was attended by the Director of the Middle East Region in the organization, Basma al-Maiman, Minister al-Eryani highlighted the extent of the damage caused by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias to tourist facilities and the emigration of many qualified tourism professionals out of Yemen in search of work.

He highlighted the tourism wealth and the diverse attractive regions in Yemen, pointing out to the active tourism movement in Socotra Archipelago, which is one of the most important sites in ecotourism worldwide and is listed as a World Heritage Site. It possesses unique terrain, vegetation, and attractions.

Al-Eryani also discussed the ministry's efforts to revitalize the tourism sector and improve the environment attractive to domestic and international tourism, with the support of Dr. Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, despite the exceptional circumstances and limited resources in Yemen.

The Minister expressed his aspirations for the World Tourism Organization to contribute to the rehabilitation and training of tourism professionals, thereby creating job opportunities for Yemeni youth by developing their skills and capabilities in various tourism fields.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization expressed readiness and cooperation with the ministry in the qualification and training of tourism professionals so that they can contribute to the development of Yemeni tourism, which will generate economic revenues for Yemen.

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