[12 July 2007] SANA'A, July 12 (Saba)- Ministry of Tourism signed on Thursday three agreements for tourism promotion with three European companies. The ministry agreed with the German Kleber company, Italian TQC company and French SRL company to carry out promotion campaigns to enhance tourist awareness on Yemen.

Under the agreements, the companies would review translation of materials offered by the Yemen Tourism Promotion Board over the promotion campaigns in different languages.

The agreements also contain preparations for tourist visits to Yemen by journalists from these countries to enlighten them about features of tourism in Yemen.

In his statement to reporters, Minister of Tourism Nabil al-Faqih said that the ministry is discussing with other Spanish and British promotion companies to promote tourism in Yemen in their countries, calling on local and foreign media outlets to support this campaign and stand against campaigns that target reputation of Yemen.

Al-Faqih disapproved warning of some foreign embassies in Yemen for their citizens against visiting Yemen, saying that Yemen is considered one of the world countries that wetness the least terror attacks compared to other countries.

He said Yemen has capabilities to fight terrorism, making itclear that around RY200 million has been allocated to highlight and improve picture of Yemen abroad. "The government would allocate more in coming years," he said

The minister pointed out that the impacts of Marib terror attack on tourism is still in at minimum level.

According to statistics of immigration and passport authority, 90 percent of tourism programs did not change while only 10 to 20 percent of reservations have been canceled, al-Faqih said.

He pointed out to the bylaw of categorizing travel agencies, saying that the bylaw would be put into effect by 2008.

AH/AM

Saba