[13/October/2009]
SANA'A, Oct. 13 (Saba)- Yemen's Tourism Ministry is currently preparing to launch a tourist promotion campaign in the important markets of some European countries in the following weeks.
Aiming to alleviate those countries' cautions against travel to Yemen, the campaign is planned to include meetings with several tourist companies and representatives of European media specialized in tourist promotion.
The Ministry has launched a dedicated mission to woo foreign tourists to the country located at the southern corner of Arab peninsula. Yemen's Tourism Promotion Board (YTPB) will be in London in the coming weeks, on the first leg of its European Roadshow, which will also eventually travel to Italy, Germany and France.
According to Travel Daily News website, Yemen's National Dance Academy will first be stopping at London's Paddington Station for displays of traditional dancing throughout the day of Sunday 18th October.
"It will be an opportunity for the 70,000 travellers who pass by the exhibition space daily to not only have a chance to win exclusive prizes and take home Yemeni gifts, but also to learn a thing or two about this Land of Mystery and Adventure from the information provided on site by representatives from the YTPB", the daily reported.
The YTPB will be hosting an engaging Evening of Discovery at the London Millennium Mayfair Hotel on Monday 19th October. The National Dance Academy will be making a second appearance alongside an impressive exhibit by leading Yemeni photographers.
Apart from the entertainment, the event will also feature a Q&A session where would-be visitors and interested persons can learn about the various details of visiting Yemen. Also featured will be an exhibition by acclaimed photographers from the country, and prizes for various contests held throughout the evening.
The events will also feature offers and deals from a number of British tours operators offering packages to Yemen. Last year, around 9,000 British travellers visited Yemen. The Arab country welcomed a total of over 400,000 visitors.
UK spokesman for Yemen Tourism Promotion Board, Christopher Imbsen, has said UK visitors to Yemen would be fascinated by the range of extraordinary experiences the country has to offer.
He adds that although Yemen is usually a choice for experienced travellers, with many areas still being out of bounds for tourists, regular travellers will find a lot to discover in this land of mystery and adventure.
The event is open to journalists, travel and tourism professionals and others with an interest in this Land of Mystery and Adventure. YTPB's UK team will be on hand to discuss study tour and press trip options for tour operators, travel agents and journalists.
"For the few who choose to travel to Yemen, the rewards are immense. Our experiences of the country have shown it to be both incredibly friendly and endlessly fascinating. From the mud brick tower houses of Sana'a to the mountains of Haraz, Yemen is a country that travellers will be drawn back to time and time again. And whether you are staying in a converted palace in the deserts of Wadi Hadramawt or camping on a pristine beach on Socotra Island, Wild Frontiers will endeavour to show you why we believe this troubled country still deserves the name it was given by the Romans - Arabia Felix, lucky Arabia", Marc Leaderman of Wild Frontiers said.
Three weeks later, Yemen's biggest ever delegation will be at London's World Travel Market on 9th November for four days of events and meetings with leading tour operators, journalists and investors.
The YTPB is trying to do its best to change the wrong image of Yemen in western media due to some security events and warnings against unnecessary travel from Europe to the country.
Through such effective tourist participations, Yemen seeks to brief foreigners, particularly Europeans, on developments in the country, including the security side and what actions had been taken to maintain security and stability which ensure the safety of everyone in the country.
Saba
