Tourism Sector Losses Exceed $8 Billion As Result of US-Saudi Aggression

The losses of the tourism sector in Yemen as a result of the US-Saudi aggression exceeded more than eight billion dollars, while 95 percent of workers in the tourism sectors were laid off.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism for the tourism development sector, Abdou Mahdi, stated to Almasirah that the tourism sector is one of the most important sectors that incurred many losses, estimated at more than eight billion dollars.

Mahdi confirmed that the aggression caused the destruction and damage of more than 473 archaeological and touristic sites and monuments and historical facilities. These facilities were 25 historical cities, 42 archaeological landmarks, 25 mausoleums, 252 hotels, 81 restaurants, 12 event halls, 28 parks and gardens, and 8 cafes.

He pointed out that the aggression and blockade had a great impact on tourism in Yemen in a way that led to the closure of 543 tourism agencies, indicating that the closure of tourism agencies caused losses amounting to more than seven hundred and seventy-five million dollars.

He pointed out that the aggression led to the dismissal of 95 percent of workers in the tourism sectors, who support more than 500 thousand people. The aggression prevented nearly 500 thousand Yemeni expatriate tourists from arriving annually to Yemen.

Mahdi noted that the tourism sector is the first to be affected and the last to recover from the results of the aggression and blockade, adding that tourism creates an activity that benefits a wide segment of society. As a result of the aggression and blockade, this activity decreased, he noted.

For his part, Sadiq Mohsen, Undersecretary of the Facilities Services Sector at the Ministry of Tourism, told Almasirah that the sector has lost more than 15,000 job opportunities within tourist facilities.

Meanwhile, Assistant Undersecretary for the Financial Sector at the Ministry of Tourism, Mohammed Al-Fareh, indicated that the ministry is seeking to improve the level of performance to stimulate domestic tourism.

Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States and regional allies, launched the war on Yemen in March 2015, claiming the goal of bringing the government of former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi back to power.

The US-Saudi aggression continues to target neighborhoods and populated areas and destroy the infrastructure and capabilities of the country, in light of a suspicious international silence.

The war has left hundreds of thousands of Yemenis dead and displaced millions more. It has also destroyed Yemen’s infrastructure and spread famine and infectious diseases there.