Tourists prefer not to venture beyond Sana'a's Old City amid safety concerns
Tourists prefer not to venture beyond Sana'a's Old City amid safety concerns
Tourists prefer not to venture beyond Sana'a's Old City amid safety concerns
Tourists prefer not to venture beyond Sana'a's Old City amid safety concerns

Yemen seeks to refurbish its image


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  • Arabic

SANA'A // Yemen - considered the cradle of Arab civilisation - is trying to repair its image overseas after a spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks in its troubled north sparked travel warnings by many western countries.

A tourism campaign will kick off in European countries next month, including Britain, Italy, Germany and France, said Ahmed al Bail, the executive director of the ministry of tourism promotion board. Yemen has a range of experiences on offer, including cultural, adventure and ecotourism adventures. Its capital, Sana'a, is a designated Unesco world heritage site for its centuries old buildings and a history that dates back more than two and a half millennia. Yemen has the largest number of UN cultural and heritage sites in the Arabian peninsula.

"We try to promote Yemen's rich and unique traditional architecture, stunning mountains and unspoilt beaches. We are trying to tell them. Yemen is still an undiscovered pearl," said Mr Bail. The country faces several challenges, not least its reputation as a haven for al Qa'eda supporters and a long-running civil war in the north. The Yemen Soldiers Brigades, an al Qa'eda-linked group, claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb attack in July that killed two people and injured 18 at a police complex in eastern Hadhramaut province.

The group had earlier said it was behind other attacks, including the killing of two Belgian tourists in Hadhramaut in January and the July 2007 attack on a tourist convoy in the central province of Marib that killed eight Spanish tourists. Its online magazine, Sada al Malahim, in July this year urged jihadists to kidnap western tourists to press for the release of jailed militants. Subsequently, some European countries including Britain, Italy, Germany and most recently France, issued travel warnings to Yemen, but Mr Bail dismissed these as an "over-exaggeration" to the situation.

"There are only specific areas where travel is restricted, not the whole country," he said. "It surprises me, for instance, to see that Germany warns against travel to Yemen but not to Afghanistan, Somalia or Iraq. This is completely unfair," he said. Hadhramaut, as well as Marib and al Jawf in the central north, and Shabwa and Abyan in the south are accessible to tourists only with security escorts.

Mr Bail said they were now in contact with some marketing and public relations companies in Europe to start the campaign, but travel warnings were holding them back. "If they say 'do not go to Yemen', they are then achieving the goals of the terrorists. Terrorist incidents that have taken place in Yemen are isolated and can take place in Spain or London and anywhere in the world." Yemen, which has historically been one of the lowest earners of tourism revenue in the Middle East and North Africa region, was predicted to generate US$44 billion (Dh160.6bn) from tourism by 2020, in a report released in June by Fast Future, a UK-based tourism consultancy. By 2015, the tourism ministry, according to Mr Bail, aims to attract one million tourists.

However, the attacks and kidnappings and subsequent travel warnings have dented the country's earning potential. According to the ministry's statistics, there was a slight drop in the number of tourists in 2007 to 379,390 from 382,332 in 2006. Yemen earned $424 million last year in tourism revenue, but Mr Bail said a hoped for 10 per cent growth set for 2008 would have to be reviewed after the warnings.

"Following these travel warnings, many tourists groups from these European countries want to come to Yemen but insurance companies refuse to give travel insurance while others ask for higher rate for insurance. People are afraid of being kidnapped by militants groups and thus we miss out on visitors' cash," he said. It is not only attacks by al Qa'eda that have damaged a fledgling tourism industry. Local tribesmen also have seen tourists as way to leverage power. Over 200 abductions were reported countrywide between 1993 and 2000, according to government figures. Between Nov 2005 and Jan 2006, 14 European tourists were kidnapped. The last kidnapping case took place in May, when two Japanese tourists were taken hostage by tribesmen in Marib, and blackmailed the government into releasing some of their jailed relatives.

Most hostages have been freed unharmed, but in 2000 a Norwegian diplomat was killed in crossfire and in 1998 four westerners were killed during a botched army attempt to free them from militants who had seized 16 tourists. "Every incident, whether it is kidnapping or militants attacks taking place in the country, affects us and of course, with variation in the scale of the impact," said Abu Bakr Fada'ak, the owner of Qana'a Tourist complex in Shabwa province, a tourist hot spot.

"Following the Spanish tourist attacks, we have seen a 30 per cent drop. In the past three months, we have received three to four people [a night] compared to 60 per night in December last year," he said. Mr Fada'ak said the government was not doing enough to promote tourism. "Yemen can be an interesting tourist destination for millions of people. However, the government lacks good marketing plans. It needs to invest more on infrastructure and work to improve the security situation," he said.

Mr Bail said his ministry was holding meetings with government agencies and diplomatic missions to discuss the travel warnings and their impact on tourism. "We are trying to convince these European countries to at least mitigate their warnings so as to run our campaigns in Europe," Mr Bail said. "We can close some areas but not the whole country." He said his ministry was trying to improve tourism infrastructure by building roads to tourist sites as well as setting up guest houses in different parts of the country. Despite the warnings, tourists are still lured by the unique architecture and tradition of Yemen, especially to the old city of Sana'a with its gingerbread-looking houses and bustling markets. "This is completely different from Europe and many other places," said Kate Marks, an Australian tourist, walking around the old city. "The architecture is unique and can never be found anywhere in the world. This is why I decided to come to Yemen. I feel safe here in Sana'a and people meet you with a friendly smile and hello." Ms Marks said she had heard about the security problems in areas like Marib and Shabwa and so had decided not to travel there. @email:malqadhi@thenational.ae

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat

UAE FIXTURES

Friday February 18: v Ireland

Saturday February 19: v Germany

Monday February 21: v Philippines

Tuesday February 22: semi-finals

Thursday February 24: final 

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
The winners

Fiction

  • ‘Amreekiya’  by Lena Mahmoud
  •  ‘As Good As True’ by Cheryl Reid

The Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award

  • ‘Syrian and Lebanese Patricios in Sao Paulo’ by Oswaldo Truzzi;  translated by Ramon J Stern
  • ‘The Sound of Listening’ by Philip Metres

The George Ellenbogen Poetry Award

  • ‘Footnotes in the Order  of Disappearance’ by Fady Joudah

Children/Young Adult

  •  ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ by Hoda Kotb 
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club

  • 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
  • 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
  • 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
  • 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16

Squads:

  • UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
  • Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai, 
HBKU Press 

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Drishyam 2

Directed by: Jeethu Joseph

Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy

Rating: 4 stars

Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final

Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3
(Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES

Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)

Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)

Saturday, September 23
Hatta v Al Ain (5.25pm)
Ajman v Shabab Al Ahli (8.30pm)

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.