SANA'A: 2011 was a catastrophic year in terms of tourism in Yemen as the country was enthralled in a violent popular uprising. 2012 and the threat of terror attacks have turned out to be as lethal to the ailing industry sector. Despite a rich cultural heritage stretching millennia and breathtaking scenery, Yemen is its own worst enemy, as the new coalition government is struggling to re-establish order over the land, with over lapping conflicts, the growing threat of sectarianism, tribal dissidents and Islamic militants. The Yemen Hotel Union reported last month at its annual meeting that it had lost $1.8 million in 2011, stressing that all indicators so far were negative, offering no silver-lining. “Last year's conflict affected the hotel industry in Yemen badly. Some development plans have been achieved, but slowly. I hope everything gets better soon,” said Alwan Al-Shaibani, chairman of the YHU. He added, “Many hotels shut down because of last year's conflict. But if tourists start to visit Yemen again, these hotels will reopen. All we need in Yemen is security and stability so that tourists feel safe enough to come here.” As a results explained al-Shaibani, many tourism workers were laid off or suffered a salary suspension as businessmen are trying to figure out a way-out of the crisis. Several economists warned that unless Yemen's government was to take drastic measures towards restoring order across its provinces, tourism will continue to deteriorate, setting back the county decades in terms of potential growth.
