http://www.english.hadhramaut.info New plan to promote tourism abroad unveiled [The Source: www.sabanews.net - 24/1/2009] A new strategic plan to promote tourism in Yemen abroad has been unveiled. The plan aims to raise the number of tourists in Yemen to a million visitors with which the domestic product will increase by $ 1.5 million. Launching the scheme, Minister of Tourism Nabil al-Faqih said the strategy, which was prepared by a German expert, is designed to promote tourism in Yemen in foreign countries with besides creating job opportunities for youth and improving the quality of tourist services. In reply to a question on the scheme components, al-Faqih said the plan will work to build a good image of Yemen and identify target tourist markets abroad and identify features of Yemeni tourist products and what authorities can provide for markets through targeting Arab markets first. The third part is designed to target emerging markets such China and other East Asia countries. However, the minister said that the plan will not be able to correct the image of Yemen abroad under internal and external impacts unless efforts are combined to improve the tourist sector and raise awareness about all affects tourism in the country. Reviewing the plan, German expert Kie Volker Bartil said tourism in the developing countries still relies on cultural and natural assets. He stressed the importance of raising social awareness to improve the tourist sector, to preserve heritage and to provide a good tourist climate.