[03/November/2007]

ADEN, (Saba)- The Supreme Council of Tourism initially approved in a meeting on Saturday, headed by Prime Minister Ali Mujawar, establishment of an emergency unit in the Tourism Ministry.

The new unit would deal and quickly resolve issues associated with tourism in the country.

The meeting also approved a set of measures to develop tourism sector in the country.

During the meeting, a memo was presented by the tourism minister on the importance of setting up a database over tourism to check contributions of tourism to Gross Domestic Product of the nation.

The database is also to analyze economic potential in field of tourism industry to improve this key industry.

The council asked Minister of Tourism to proceed with measures on developing environment of tourism at different levels to serve national economy and development.

It also discussed a report over the impacts of the Marib terrorist act of last March, especially means of strengthening security procedures and activating promotion of tourism in several world countries.

The meeting highlighted efforts exerted in this regard as the number of tourists
increased up to 181,637 during first half of this year compared to 179,754 tourists in same period of last year.

AH/AM

Saba