yemen tourism 2023

Yemen Tours

Join one of our tours in yemen.

Considered a destination from a fairy tale by all travelers, Yemen is the Mecca for intrepid adventurers, the one destination that has always awed each and every visitor for its rawness and untouched culture combined with a jaw-dropping architecture and mesmerizing valleys.

Years of an unfortunate war, however, have isolated Yemen even more, making it a nearly impossible destination to reach.

Against the Compass is finally offering group expeditions to the Yemeni mainland, more specifically, to the eastern region of Hadramut, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shibam, among many other wonders.

Yemen is the most legendary Arab country.

Join our upcoming expedition to discover it!

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Need to know for your Yemen tour

How to get a visa.

You don’t need to visit the embassy but we can arrange everything for you online.

How to get to Yemen?

You can fly to Seiyun from Cairo with Yemenia Airways. A round-trip ticket costs 870USD.

Which nationalities can join our Yemeni tours?

We can get a visa for all nationalities, including US citizens.

Our scheduled group tours for Yemen

As of today, only one region of the Yemeni mainland can be visited: Hadramut.

You can visit Hadramut on a 6 or 7-day tour.

We will be adding the new destination of Socotra before the end of 2023.

Upcoming Yemen Tours

These are all our upcoming tours in Yemen

Socotra Expedition

Our first expedition to Socotra was just launched!

Yemen Expedition Round 2

Join us on this adventure across the region of Hadramut in Yemen mainland

Yemen in Spanish

Join us on this overlanding adventure across the region of Hadramut in Yemen mainland. This tour is for Spanish-speaking people only.

Socotra for New Year

Join us in Socotra during the most fun date of the year!

All our Yemen Tours include

Airport transfers

5 nights of accommodation (twin shared)

Security clearance and all permits

Private transportation and driver around Yemen

Armed escorts

Visa processing and respective fees

English-speaking Yemeni guide

Entrance fees.

Sample itinerary for our Yemen tours

Here’s the standard 6-day tour we offer on most of our expeditions:

Day 1 – Arrival in Seiyun

• Arrival from Cairo around 5pm.
• Watch sunset over the city of Seiyun followed by a welcome dinner.
• Check in at Hawta Palace Hotel.
• Overnight in Seiyun.

Day 2 – Mukalla

• Early start and drive to Mukalla, the capital and main city in Hadramut.
• Visit Mukalla, including the city’s main fort and the bustling port.
• Overnight in Mukalla.

Day 3 – Wadi Doa’n

• After breakfast, visit the fish market and then, drive to Wadi Doa’n, a valley in Hadramut dotted with traditional villages.
• Check in to the hotel and trek along Wadi Doa’n to a traditional village named Hawfa.
• Visit Buqshan, home to the most colorful palace in all Yemen.
• Overnight in Wadi Doa’n.

Day 4 – Wadi Doa’n and Shibam

• Visit Qarht Bahumaish, the last village in Hadramut and Usama Bin Laden’s hometown, as well as the picturesque towns of Al-Khuraiba and Musainah.
• Drive to UNESCO World Heritage City of Shibam and enjoy sunset there.
• Back to Seiyun and check in the hotel.

Day 5 – Shibam, Seiyun and Tarim

• Early start and return to Shibam for a proper town visit, including climbing to the top of a building.
• Drive to the old town of Seiyun, including the honey market and Al-fals white palace.
• Visit Tarim, a mud-brick town and the center of Sufism in Yemen.
• Khat market, and experience chewing khat with the locals.
• Watch sunset from a viewpoint over Tarim.

Day 6 – Departure

• The flight back to Cairo departs at 4am.

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WELCOME TO SOCOTRA

A journey to the end of the world.

“The Socotra Archipelago in Yemen has long been a land of mystery. Over the centuries travellers returned from the Indian Ocean isles with bizarre tales - of trees yielding dragon's blood and cucumbers, forest of frankincense, and towering pinnacles in the mist.".

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We also design bespoke adventures to suit any traveller, from solo to couples or larger groups of friends. For private tours feel free to pick your own date!

Our itinerary is designed to inspire, whether you are looking to make the most of a classic one week trip, or explore more as part of a longer bespoke adventure.

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Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Emergencies

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Travel Advisory December 19, 2023

Yemen - level 4: do not travel.

Updated after periodic review to include the crime indicator and revised security information.

Do not travel to Yemen due to  terrorism, civil unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict,  and  landmines.

Country Summary : The U.S. Embassy in Sana’a suspended its operations in February 2015, and the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Yemen.

Terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Islamic State affiliates, continue to plot and conduct attacks in Yemen – most notably in al-Bayda, Abyan, and Shabwah governorates. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting public sites, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Additionally, there is a continuing threat of kidnapping/detention by terrorists, criminal elements, and/or non-government actors. Employees of foreign organizations may be targeted for attack or kidnapping.

A civil war continues in Yemen. While truce agreements may reduce overall levels of violence, instability and ongoing threats of armed conflict, particularly along the frontlines in central Yemen, remain at a severe level. Due to the ongoing civil unrest and weak government institutions, travelers should not rely on significant assistance from local authorities. Foreign nationals are frequently the target of kidnapping and carjacking, particularly when traveling outside of urban areas.

Military conflict has caused destruction of basic infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities. This destruction limits the availability of electricity, clean water, and medical care in affected areas. It also often hampers the ability of humanitarian organizations to deliver critically needed food, medicine, and water. Landmines exist throughout Yemen.

Widespread violent crime and/or organized crime are present in Yemen. Local law enforcement may have limited or no ability or willingness to respond to serious crimes.

As a result of the deterioration of health services, Yemen is experiencing the re-emergence of infectious diseases, such as cholera, polio, and measles. There is a limited availability of medicine and medical supplies, and adequate medical treatment is unavailable.

There is a very high risk of kidnapping and detention of U.S. citizens in Yemen, particularly dual U.S.-Yemeni citizens. U.S. citizens, particularly young people, are also at risk of kidnapping for purposes of forced marriage, sometimes involving force, fraud, or coercion by family members in the United States and/or Yemen. The Houthis, who control Sana’a, have detained U.S. citizens, including dual U.S.-Yemeni citizens. U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, have faced difficulty – including lengthy delays – when attempting to depart Yemen.

Commercial flights to and from Yemen have operated out of Aden and Sana’a and have connected to destinations in the region, including Addis Ababa, Amman, Cairo, Djibouti, Jeddah, Khartoum, and Riyadh. Travelers are advised to inquire with airlines and travel companies directly for the most current information.

Some companies outside of Yemen have misrepresented the security situation on the Yemeni island of Socotra and are offering tourist visits there, including by facilitating unofficial and invalid "visas." Only the sovereign Republic of Yemen government can issue valid Yemeni visas. Private companies or third countries that arrange such visits are putting tourists in danger, including legal jeopardy. While security conditions on Socotra may be less volatile than on the mainland, the U.S. government has no presence and no way to intervene with authorities on behalf of U.S. citizens who travel there. U.S. citizens should not travel to Socotra or any other part of Yemen.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Yemen, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Due to risks to commercial shipping operating within or in the vicinity of Yemen territorial waters, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued a Maritime Advisory. For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) .

Additionally, the Commandant of the Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Yemen’s ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Yemen. Mariners and passengers traveling through the ports of Yemen should exercise caution.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Yemen.

If, despite this Travel Advisory, you decide to travel to Yemen:

• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Make contingency plans to leave the country without U.S. government assistance.
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs, if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
• Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization so that they can monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. This plan should specify who you would contact first, and how they should share the information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook   and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Yemen.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

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Quick Facts

Must be valid for six months at time of entry.

1 page per entry stamp.

Yes. Must be obtained at Yemeni embassies and consulates abroad.

None required.

Embassies and Consulates

The  U.S. Embassy in Sana’a  suspended operations on February 11, 2015, and therefore cannot provide protection or consular services to U.S. citizens in Yemen.  The U.S. government has extremely limited capabilities to assist U.S. citizens in Yemen.

The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Yemen due to the very high risk of kidnapping and detention.  U.S. citizens in Yemen are strongly recommended to depart the country.  U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, have faced difficulty – including lengthy delays – when attempting to depart Yemen. More information can be found in our  Yemen Travel Advisory.  

Please direct inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in Yemen to  [email protected] . Callers in the U.S. and Canada may dial the toll free number 1-888-407-4747. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial 1-202-501-4444.

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s website  www.state.gov  for information on U.S.-Yemen relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities, kidnappings, civil unrest, and landmines. The Department urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Yemen and urges U.S. citizens currently living in Yemen to depart.  

All visitors to Yemen are required to obtain a visa prior to travel to Yemen.  U.S. citizens typically are issued visas that are valid for 30 days. At the time of publication, the Embassy of Yemen in Washington, D.C. is not issuing tourist visas. For the most current and complete visa information, visit the  Embassy of Yemen's website  or call the Embassy of Yemen in Washington, D.C. at (202) 965-4760 ext. 2.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our websites.

If you are in Yemen and have questions about your federal benefits, please contact  [email protected] .

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Since the beginning of the current conflict in September 2014, the Houthis, who control Sana’a, have detained U.S. citizens, including dual Yemeni-American citizens.  Reports indicate that U.S. citizens are targeted by virtue of their citizenship, regardless of the amount of time they have spent in Yemen, their established connections with rebel groups, or their connections with local businesses or humanitarian organizations aimed at providing relief to those in need.  During their detentions, which in some cases have lasted years, U.S. citizens have not been allowed contact with their families or visits by U.S. consular personnel or international humanitarian organizations.  The U.S. government is severely limited in what assistance it can directly provide to U.S. citizens in detention.  There has been no U.S. government diplomatic presence in Yemen since the Houthi takeover of Sana’a.

In addition to the threat of detention by rebel groups, both the ongoing conflict and heightened terrorist activity, including kidnappings for ransom, present a threat to U.S. citizens in Yemen. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition initiated an air campaign in support of the exiled Yemeni government.  Violence, armed conflict, and artillery shelling persist in areas throughout the country.  While truce agreements may reduce overall levels of violence, instability and ongoing threats in Yemen remain at a severe level.

Vessels in the region of the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden, should operate under a heightened state of alert as increasing tensions in the region escalate the potential for direct or collateral damage to vessels transiting the area. These threats may come from a variety of different sources such as missiles, projectiles, or waterborne improvised explosive devices. Piracy in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean remains a security threat to maritime activities in the region. In recent years, there have been hundreds of documented pirate attacks in Yemeni territorial waters in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) has also advised that elevated regional tensions have increased the risk of maritime attacks being conducted by extremists to vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandeb regions.

MARAD recommends vessels at anchor, operating in restricted maneuvering environments, or at slow speeds should be especially vigilant and report suspicious activity. U.S. flag vessels that observe suspicious activity in the area are advised to report such suspicious activity or any hostile or potentially hostile action to COMUSNAVCENT battlewatch captain at phone number 011-973-1785-3879. All suspicious activities and events are also to be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802, 202-267-2675, or TDD 202-267-4477. For further information, see the Department of State’s  International Maritime Piracy Fact Sheet  and the  United States Maritime Administration  ( MARAD ) advisory on vessels transiting high risk waters.

Other potential hazards to overland travelers include landmines and unexploded ordnance. This is of particular concern in the six southern provinces and in the northern highlands.

Please note that the local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Yemen is 199, but operators do not speak English.

Crime : Due to the ongoing civil unrest and weak government institutions, travelers should not rely on significant assistance from local authorities.  Foreigners are frequently the target of kidnapping and carjacking, particularly when traveling outside of urban areas.

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI   pages for information. 

Victims of Crime : The U.S. government is extremely limited to the consular assistance it can provide in Yemen.  Report crimes to the local police at 199.  As there is no U.S. Embassy in Yemen at this time, you should coordinate with a U.S. embassy or consulate in a neighboring country for services.  

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

Domestic Violence:  The law in Yemen protects against domestic violence under general prohibitions of violence, but authorities do not enforce this provision effectively. The law criminalizes rape, but not spousal rape. Authorities may prosecute rape survivors on charges of fornication if the perpetrator is not charged with rape. According to law, without the perpetrator’s confession, the rape survivor must provide four male witnesses to the crime.

The law allows leniency for persons found guilty of committing an “honor” killing or violently assaulting or killing a woman for perceived “immodest” or “defiant” behavior. The law does not address other types of gender-based abuse, such as forced isolation, imprisonment, and early and forced marriage.

See section 6 of our Human Rights Report for additional information.

As there is no U.S. Embassy in Yemen at this time, U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should coordinate with a U.S. embassy or consulate in a neighboring country.  The U.S. government is extremely limited to the consular assistance it can provide in Yemen.

Tourism :  No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place in Yemen on any level. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk.  Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than those in the United States.  Regardless of your citizenship, you are subject to local laws while in Yemen.  If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

In Yemen, the law may be applied inconsistently, and foreign travelers may be taken in for questioning if they do not have their passport with them.  Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can land the driver immediately in jail.  The criminal penalties in Yemen may be very different from what U.S. citizens are accustomed to in the United States.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.  For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification : The U.S. government is extremely limited to the consular assistance it can provide in Yemen.  The U.S. Department of State has designated the U.S. Embassies in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Djibouti, and Cairo, Egypt, to handle American Citizens Services cases emanating out of Yemen.  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy in one of these locations immediately.  See our  webpage  and notice to all U.S. citizens in Yemen for further information.

Special Circumstances : Photographing military installations, including airports, equipment, or troops is forbidden.  Such photography has led to the arrest of U.S. citizens.  Military sites are not always obvious.  If in doubt, ask specific permission from Yemeni authorities.

U.S. citizens who travel to Yemen are subject to the jurisdiction of Yemeni courts, as well as to the country's laws, customs, and regulations. This holds true for all legal matters, including child custody and travel restrictions.

The US Embassy cannot intervene in custody matters, and parents must work through the local courts.  Women in custody disputes in Yemen will not enjoy the same rights that they do in the United States, as Yemeni law often does not work in favor of the mother.  U.S. custody orders might not be enforced in Yemen.

U.S. citizen girls and women who travel to Yemen are at risk of being forced into marriage and may be vulnerable to other forms of gender-based restrictions and violence, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas.  U.S. citizen women who are married to Yemeni or Yemeni-American men should be aware that their children may not be able to depart if the children are brought to Yemen.  In many instances, women must obtain permission from their husbands to obtain an exit visa.  They also may not be able to take their children out of Yemen without the permission of the father, regardless of who has legal custody.  U.S. divorce decrees may not be recognized in Yemen, especially if the marriage took place in Yemen.  In some cases, U.S. citizen women who have married in Yemen and divorced in the United States have been prevented from departing Yemen by their ex-husbands.

Faith-Based Travelers:  The law prohibits denunciation of Islam, conversion from Islam to another religion, and proselytizing directed at Muslims.   Religious minorities face persecution, including detention, as a result of their religious beliefs, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas.

See the following webpages for details :

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers  
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Yemen as is gender expression that does not conform with a person’s assigned sex at birth.  Penalties include fines, jail time, or death.

See our  LGBTQI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Yemen prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, intellectual or mental disabilities, but the law is not enforced.  Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States.  Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

Students:  See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .   

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Women face deeply entrenched discrimination. Women cannot marry without the permission of their male guardians; do not have equal rights in inheritance, divorce, or child custody; and have little legal protection. They experience discrimination in employment, credit, pay, owning or managing businesses, education, and housing.  A male relative’s consent is often required before a woman can be admitted to a hospital.

Women traveling in areas under Houthi control may be required to be escorted by a male guardian who is a relative.

See Section 6 of our Human Rights Report  and the Special Circumstances section above for more information.

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities, kidnappings, civil unrest, and landmines.  The Department urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Yemen and urges U.S. citizens currently living in Yemen to depart.  

All visitors to Yemen are required to obtain a visa prior to travel to Yemen.  U.S. citizens typically are issued visas that are valid for 30 days.  At the time of publication, the Embassy of Yemen in Washington, D.C. is not issuing tourist visas. For the most current and complete visa information, visit the  Embassy of Yemen's website  or call the Embassy of Yemen in Washington, D.C. at (202) 965-4760 ext. 2.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:   Road conditions in Yemen differ significantly from those in the United States. Travel by road in Yemen is risky and often includes lengthy delays at checkpoints when traveling between cities. See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of  Yemen's national tourism office .

Aviation Safety Oversight:  As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Yemen, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Yemen’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel : The Commandant of the Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Yemen ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Yemen. Mariners and passengers on commercial vessels traveling through the ports of Yemen should exercise increased caution.

Mariners planning travel to Yemen should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Yemen . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Yemen Tours

Yemen mainland tours.

Visit the Hadramout region

With direct flights from Cairo to Seiyun, it’s never been easier to travel to Hadramout, Yemen.

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Historical Yemen has been at the center of trade and exchange on the Arabian peninsula for millennia. The country is a diverse & stunning land with thousands of years of human history and traditions. 

Today however, Yemen is fractured with vast swathes of the country unsafe for visitors.

Along with our regular Socotra Island tours , and following a hugely successful research tour to mainland Yemen in 2023, we now offer tours to the Hadramout region – Yemen’s only safe province for visitors.

You’ll be in the safe hands of our local guides and fixers who always ensure the utmost of safety standards across all of our Yemen tours.

So join us as we delve into the heart of this untouched and authentic region, discovering the unique blend of tradition and natural beauty that makes Hadramout a truly special place

Cairo – Seiyun – Hawta – Tarim – Shibam – Wadi Doa’n – Al-Khuraiba – Haid Al-Jizil – Seiyun – Cairo

See our sample Yemen tour itinerary below. Flights depart from Cairo every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.

We will apply for your Yemen visa and send you a copy before tour. This is included in the tour price.

Tour   Itineraries

Itinerary October 2024

See the highlights of Hadramout on this memorable Yemen Mainland tour!

• October 17 - 22nd, 2024

Yemen Mainland Tour - Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - cairo - seiyun.

• Meet in Cairo airport before our morning flight to Seiyun, Yemen.
• Arrival into Seiyun. Pick up from the airport and head stright into town to exchange money & shop for some local clothing.
• Drive to Hawta Palace Hotel & check in.
• Dinner at the hotel & overnight.

Day 2 - Hawta - Aynat - Tarim Hawta

• In the morning we visit Sultan Palace in Seiyun and look around the local market.
• We drive to visit Tarim town – the Sufi historical town built of Mud.
• Visit Tarim tiny market and the Al-Mihdar mosque – complete with the world’s largest mud minaret.
• Lunch in Tarim, then drive to visit the Hood Prophet shrine.
• Drive back to Hawta town.
• Dinner & overnight.

Day 3 - Hawta - Shibam - Wadi Doa'n

• Today’s the day visit the most beautiful town in Arabia!  The Manhattan of Arabia itself: Shibam Hadramout.
• We discover the town on foot while checking out some of the houses, antique shops and rooftops.
• After we drive 2 hours towards stunning Wadi Doa’n and stop for photos at Al-Hajjrain.
• Dinner and overnight in the spectacular Haid Al-Jizil Hotel. 

Day 4 - Wadi Doa'n

• After breakfast we drive before starting our trek down to Hawfah village in Wadi Do’an.
• It’s a 1-hour trek downhill with beautiful panorama viewpoints.
• Then we drive to visit Buqshan village, (with multi-coloured palaces) then drive to another beautiful panorama of Wadi Doa’n it’s called – the Budha area.
• Stop to photograph the villages in Wadi Do’an including Qarn Majed village & other villages on the way until the grand Budha viewpoint.
• Drive to Al-Rubat town. Walk the streets and mingle with locals in this wadi town. It’s also the historical home to the Bin-Laden family – we can even see the now abandoned Bin-Laden family home.
• Drive to Al-Khuraiba town & then drive back to Haid Al-Jizil.
• Sunset view at Haid Al-Jizil Viewpoint over Wadi Doa’n.
• Dinner & Overnight at the Haid Al-Jizil Hotel.

Day 5 - Wadi Doa'n - Shibam - Hawta.

• Drive from the beauty of Haid Al-Jizil all the way back to Seiyun.
• On the way we stop to photograph villages in Wadi Do’an then drive onto Seiyun to pick up some last-minute souvenirs.
• Arrive at Hawta town.
• In the late afternoon we drive back to Shibam to photograph the mud city at Sunset from different directions.
• Back to Hawta Palace Hotel for our last night. 

Day 6 - Hawta - Seiyun - Cairo

• Early rise and drive back to Seiyun airport.
• Flight to Cairo.
• End of tour.

Accommodation Secure local boutique hotels. Guides An expert English-speaking local guide/fixer and driver. Transport All transport to complete the itinerary. Food All meals & water are included. Activities All activities & entrance fees unless otherwise stated. Visa Visa and security clearance. We will apply for these on your behalf and send you a copy of the visa before you travel. .elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4fdd772d .elementor-repeater-item-ebe0563.jet-parallax-section__layout .jet-parallax-section__image{background-size:auto;}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items .eael-feature-list-item:not(:last-child){padding-bottom:calc(12px/2);}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items .eael-feature-list-item:not(:first-child){padding-top:calc(12px/2);}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items.connector-type-modern .eael-feature-list-item:not(:last-child):before{height:calc(100% + 12px);}body.rtl .elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items .eael-feature-list-item:after{left:calc(-12px/2);}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items .eael-feature-list-icon-box .eael-feature-list-icon-inner{background-color:#ddb25a;}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items.framed .eael-feature-list-icon{background-color:#ffffff;}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items .eael-feature-list-icon{color:rgba(99,75,59,0.88);}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items .eael-feature-list-icon svg{fill:rgba(99,75,59,0.88);}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-icon-box .eael-feature-list-icon{height:35px;width:35px;font-size:16px;padding:15px 15px 15px 15px;}.elementor-17670 .elementor-element.elementor-element-655438a1 .eael-feature-list-items.connector-type-classic .connector{right:calc(100% - 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Travel Insurance A must for this trip. 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Yemen tours - faqs, most frequent questions and answers for our tours to yemen mainland..

We only visit the Hadramout region on this tour which is considered safe. We research the security of our destinations highly and safety is a priority, however we also advise you to do your own research as well to ensure you are comfortable with your trip.

The best time to visit is from October to March when the temperatures are comfortable in central & eastern Yemen

There is a direct flight to Seiyun, Yemen from Cairo, Egypt.

USD cash is the most widely accepted.

There are no ATMs and credit cards are not accepted anywhere.

Group size will be no more than 10 travellers.

We’ll be a convoy of comfortable cars .

Every night is in a quality local hotel with twin room sharing. You can upgrade to single rooms if you wish.

Not at all! We can cater to all diets.

Travel insurance is a must. We have teamed up with IATI Travel Insurance because they provide cover for all our destinations. You’ll also automatically receive a 5% discount with them as a Rocky Road Travel customer.

MAinland Yemen Tour

From October to March

Return flight from Cairo

Extra Charge - $890 USD

Quality Hotel

5 nights in Mainland Yemen

Contact us for more info

It's that simple

📞 +491635158517 ✉️ [email protected]

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Yemen travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: April 17, 2024 11:58 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, yemen - avoid all travel.

Avoid all travel to Yemen due to ongoing armed conflict, terrorist attacks, and kidnapping. If you’re in Yemen, you should leave the country if it’s safe to do so.

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Security situation

Despite truce agreements, the security situation in Yemen remains highly unstable and unpredictable due to the ongoing civil war that started in 2014. The state of emergency declared in March 2011 remains in effect.

Armed terrorist and criminal groups are still active in many parts of the country, particularly in the south.

The humanitarian situation remains extremely precarious in the country due to several years of armed clashes between rebels and a coalition led by neighboring countries that conducted airstrikes on territories held by rebels in western and northern Yemen. The conflict led to the displacement of millions of people and significant disruptions to the availability of essential services and goods such as:

• medical supplies
• power distribution
• health care

There is severe damage to critical infrastructure, including hospitals.

The Government of Canada has urged Canadians to leave Yemen since May 2009 and continues to advise against all travel to Yemen. Commercial means to leave the country are extremely limited. If the armed conflict intensifies it could impact your ability to depart the country by commercial means.

Your safety continues to be at risk in Yemen due to war, terrorism, and kidnapping. The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular assistance and other support in Yemen is extremely limited.

Do not travel to Yemen. If you choose to travel to Yemen, or remain in the country, despite this advisory:

• seek safe shelter and remain there until you can identify safe means to exit
• maintain emergency provisions such as water and food
• exercise extreme caution at all times
• always be aware of your surroundings
• keep in mind that you are responsible for your own safety and that of your family
• ensure that your travel documents are up-to-date
• monitor local and international media to stay informed of the situation

Regional conflicts

Since November 2023, rebels regularly conduct attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. In response, since January 2024, a US-led coalition has conducted air strikes on rebel-controlled positions in western and northern Yemen, including the cities of Hajjah, Taiz, Hodeidah and Sanaa.

During the civil war between rebels and government forces, armed rebels in Yemen have targeted neighbouring countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in retaliation for their involvement in the war in Yemen. The April 2022 truce significantly reduced the violence in the country and in the region, but there is still no agreement to end the civil war. There is a continued risk of internal armed conflict and a heightened risk of attacks targeting western interests in Yemen and in the region. 

Due to security risks, the Government of Canada cannot provide assistance to citizens trying to leave Yemen by land to Saudi Arabia.

There is a high threat of terrorism. Terrorists have targeted Western interests and Yemeni government buildings. Terrorist groups also target checkpoints manned by the Houthi rebel group in Sanaa and elsewhere in the country, and target Houthis in general.

Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Other targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Exercise extreme caution, particularly in areas known to be frequented by foreigners.

Be particularly vigilant during:

• religious holidays
• public celebrations
• major political events, such as elections

Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks.

Exercise extreme caution, particularly in areas known to be frequented by foreigners.

There is a high risk of kidnapping, especially on the highway connecting the cities of Sanaa, Ta’izz and Aden. Foreigners have been targeted. Some hostages have been killed.

• Be extremely vigilant at all times
• Avoid travelling on the Sanaa– Ta’izz –Aden highway
• Use varied and unpredictable travel routes and schedules

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Demonstrations take place frequently due to the ongoing conflict throughout the country.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Landmines and unexploded munitions remain a danger in the southern and eastern areas of the country, particularly around Aden, and in the central highlands. Most have been marked and access clearly delimited.

• Exercise caution in these areas
• Look for posted landmine warnings
• Stay on paved roads
• Avoid walking or hiking in these areas

Violent crime

Car bombs and drones have been used in assassinations.

Exercise a high level of personal security awareness at all times.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs. Although credit cards are rarely accepted, scams may also occur.

Carjacking is a serious concern in Yemen.

• Don’t show signs of affluence
• Avoid travelling at night
• Lock car doors and ensure that windows are closed at all times
• Ensure that personal belongings and passports and other travel documents are secure at all times

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone have been subject to different types of harassment, verbal abuse, or physical assaults.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault, you should report it immediately to the nearest Government of Canada office.

• Avoid travelling alone, especially at night
• Remain particularly vigilant in less populous areas
• Be careful when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances

Advice for women travellers

There is a shortage of fuel in Yemen. You may have difficulty securing fuel. Fuel and diesel shortages could impact sectors and services such as:

• telecommunication, including internet
• water and waste collection
• shops, cafes and restaurants

Power shortages often occur.

Not all businesses are equipped with a generator. As a result, shortages could affect essential services such as:

• health care services
• food production
• goods distribution

Certain parts of Yemen are experiencing famine. If food is available, it can be expensive because most of the country’s food is imported.

Plan to have adequate water, food and fuel supplies.

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country.

Drivers may not respect traffic laws and may often drive on the wrong side of the road. Vehicles are poorly maintained. Roaming animals also pose hazards.

Roadblocks and checkpoints may be set up without warning. Local authorities may close access to certain areas without notice.

If you are involved in an accident resulting in death or injuries, you may be jailed or fined. Compensation has to be paid to the family of any victim.

If you chose to drive in Yemen:

• undertake overland travel in a convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles and with an experienced guide only
• avoid driving after dark
• leave a travel itinerary with a third party
• be well prepared and equipped with gasoline, water, food and a cell phone
• avoid renting a car and driving it yourself
• call the police if involved in an accident

Public transportation

Public transportation is unsafe and unreliable.

Minibuses service – known as dabaabs – is available in most major cities. However, many bus drivers aren’t experienced and don’t respect traffic laws.

If you want to reach Aden or Seiyun airport, the International Organization for Migration may be able to help by providing ground transportation through a local bus company. You may purchase tickets through their local offices.

Once you arrive at Aden or Seiyun airport, you will need to produce copies of airline tickets at checkpoints.

Contact information - International Organization for Migration in Yemen

Shared taxis are common in Yemen. Private taxis are also available in major cities and at airports.

Motorcycles are often used as taxis. Drivers may often drive on the wrong side of the road and don’t follow traffic laws. Accidents are common.

• Use officially marked taxis only
• Negotiate fares in advance or insist that the driver use the meter
• Avoid taking shared taxis
• Never enter a cab if it already has one or more passengers
• Avoid using ridesharing apps

Ferry services are connecting the various ports in the area, including to Djibouti. Vessels are frequently hijacked or attacked while crossing the Red sea, or in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Aden.

Avoid using ferries.

There are pirate attacks and armed robberies against ships in coastal waters and, in some cases, farther out at sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live Piracy Report  - International Maritime Bureau

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Yemeni authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

The Government of Canada can't facilitate your entry into or exit from Yemen.

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Yemen.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: required Business visa: required Student visa: required

Yemeni authorities don’t issue visas at ports of entry. You must obtain your visa well in advance at the closest Yemeni diplomatic mission prior to travelling.

If you intend to stay in Yemen for more than 14 days, you must register your passport with the Yemeni Immigration authorities. You can expect heavy penalties if you overstay the duration of your visa.

Local sponsors

Some local sponsors retain students or employees passports. However, this is not required under Yemeni law.

You could be denied entry into Yemen if your passport bore an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Polio: Advice for travellers - 17 April, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. It is caused by poliovirus type 1, 2 or 3. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) is present in this country. Polio is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Infection with the polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Rift Valley fever is a viral disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can be fatal. It is spread to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, from the bite of an infected mosquito, or eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from insect bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock, and unpasteurized dairy. There is no vaccine available for Rift Valley fever.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Cases of locally-acquired   Middle East respiratory syndrome  (MERS) have been reported in this country.

MERS is a viral respiratory disease caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Some people infected with MERS-CoV experience no symptoms, while others may experience mild flu-like or more severe pneumonia-like symptoms. About one-third of reported cases have result ed in death.

Eat and drink safely ,   and   avoid close contact with animals, especially camels. If you must visit a farm or market, make sure you practise good hygiene and  wash your hands  before and after contact with animals.

There is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against MERS.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate throughout the country. Medical facilities and hospitals are very limited, even in major cities. They lack of medical staff and supplies. You will likely need medical evacuation if you are seriously ill or injured.

There are no adequate emergency ambulance services. Cash payment in advance is often required.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

There is a significant shortage of prescription medication.

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in Yemen.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack them in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and lengthy jail sentences.

The consumption of alcohol in public is illegal. Public intoxication is also a criminal offence, no matter where the alcohol was consumed.

Avoid drinking alcohol outside licensed premises.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Yemeni law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could also be discriminated against or detained based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

If you are convicted, you could face corporal punishment, imprisonment or the death penalty.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Yemen.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dress and behaviour

Yemeni customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to traditional and Islamic practices and beliefs. Women should carry a headscarf to cover their head at all times while travelling in Yemen.

To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• dress conservatively
• behave discreetly
• respect religious and social traditions
• seek permission prior to photographing individuals

Religious proselytism

Religious proselytism is illegal.

Avoid engaging in religious activities that contradict or challenge Islamic teachings and values. This includes preaching, possessing, or distributing religious literature or material.

In 2024, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around March 10.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, refrain from:

Common law partnership is illegal in Yemen. Men and women are not permitted to share a home unless they are legally married or are related to one another.

Sexual relations outside of marriage are a criminal offence and may be subject to severe punishment, including the death penalty.

Marriage outside Canada

Yemen family law is different from Canadian family law. Yemen isn't a signatory to The Hague Convention. Decisions are based on Islamic law. It's extremely difficult for woman, even if she is a Muslim, to obtain custody of her children through Yemeni courts. Canadian custody orders may not be recognized in Yemen.

Local authorities may prevent Canadian children or spouse from leaving the country without prior authorization of the Yemeni father, husband or male relative.

To avoid any difficulties in Yemen, consult a Canadian and a Yemeni lawyer before travelling. If you're involved in legal proceedings such as divorce or custody dispute in Yemen, consult a Yemeni lawyer for advice and assistance regarding your own specific situation.

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Yemen.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Yemen by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Yemen to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Others illegal activities

The following activities are illegal in Yemen and punishable by heavy fines or jail time:

• photographing government buildings, military installations and holy sites
• trafficking or eating pork
• exporting any Yemeni antique
• importing pornographic material
• engaging in prostitution

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Yemen.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Yemen, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Travellers with dual citizenship

Identification

Local authorities may ask you to show identification at any time.  

Depending on the region and the local authority, each town may have an entrance checkpoint where you will have to show your travel documents if you travel by land. You must also obtain permission from the Yemen Tourist Police to travel outside Sanaa.

• Carry identification documents at all times
• Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa in a safe place, in case they are lost or confiscated

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

The country has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving.

The currency is the Yemeni rial (YER).

The economy is primarily cash-based. Credit cards are accepted in some major hotels only. ATMs may only be available in major cities.

• Plan accordingly
• Make sure you have access to sufficient local currency while in the country
• Check with your hotel which payment methods will be accepted

Earthquakes

Yemen is located in a seismic and a volcanic zone.

• Earthquakes - What to Do?

Large-scale emergencies abroad

Severe weather

In summer, sandstorms and dust storms occur in some areas. Sand-laden winds can blow at high speeds for days, creating difficult driving conditions. These storms can also cause respiratory problems, which can be fatal in some individuals.

If a dust storm is occurring:

• stay indoors
• keep windows closed

Rainy season

The monsoon season runs from June to September. Seasonal flooding can slow down overland travel and reduce the delivery of essential services.

Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons

Drought and flooding

Yemen has been facing drought in recent years, leading to crop failure and severe food shortages. Most of the country’s food is imported.

While infrequent, torrential rains and heavy flooding also occur, which can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

In the event of flooding:

• avoid the affected area
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• follow the instructions of local authorities

The mountainous region of Yemen is prone to landslides.

Local services

Dial 199 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

Bahrain, Oman, Yemen

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Climate
• 4.3 Landscape
• 5.1 Entry requirements
• 5.2 By plane
• 5.3 By train
• 5.6 By boat
• 6 Get around
• 10.2 Shopping
• 16 Stay safe
• 17 Stay healthy
• 18.1.1 Politics
• 18.1.2 Religion
• 18.2 Miscellaneous

Yemen ( Arabic : ٱلْيَمَن) is a country in the southern Arabian Peninsula of the Middle East . Although it is rich in history and culture, being part of several civilizations, the country has been in a state of flux since the 1980s. It is one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world.

However, under less extreme circumstances, this vast country has a lot to offer to the adventurous, thrill-seeking traveller, from desert to mountains. Yemen is a difficult country to get around, but the rewards for the persistent visitor are unforgettable.

Yemenis are very friendly and open, and tourists might find themselves being treated as celebrities here; in fact, they might be showered with a lot of hospitality and care, even if they unintentionally make a few cultural blunders.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

• 15.35 44.2 1 Sana'a  – capital
• 12.8 45.033333 2 Aden  – seaside former capital of South Yemen.
• 14.802222 42.951111 3 Al Hudayda  – a relatively large city on the Red Sea with beautiful beaches
• 14.533333 49.133333 4 Al Mukalla  – East Yemen's biggest city and bustling port, the gateway to the historical Hadhramaut region
• 13.966667 44.166667 5 Ibb
• 15.5 43.9 6 Kawkaban
• 15.926944 48.626667 8 Shibam / Seiyun / Tarim  – the three famous historical towns of Hadhramaut, perhaps Yemen's most fascinating and exotic destination
• 13.578889 44.021944 9 Ta'izz

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 15.166667 43.75 1 Haraz Mountains
• Hutaib – the most important center of pilgrimage for Yemen's Ismaili population

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ].

Yemen has long existed at the crossroads of cultures, linked to some of the oldest centres of civilization in the Near East by virtue of its location in South Arabia. Between the 12th century BCE and the 6th century, it was part of the Minaean, Sabaean, Hadhramaut, Qataban, Ausan and Himyarite kingdoms, which controlled the lucrative spice trade, and later came under Ethiopian and Persian rule. In the 6th century, the Himyarite king Abu-Karib Assad converted to Judaism. In the 7th century, Islamic caliphs began to exert control over the area. After this caliphate broke up, South Arabia came under the control of many dynasties who ruled part, or often all of South Arabia. Imams of Persian origin ruled Yemen intermittently for 160 years, establishing a theocratic political structure that survived until modern times.

Egyptian Sunni caliphs occupied much of Yemen throughout the 11th century. By the 16th century and again in the 19th century, Yemen was part of the Ottoman Empire, and in some periods Imams exerted control over all of Yemen.

The modern history of south Arabia and Yemen began in 1918 when Yemen gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. Between 1918 and 1962, Yemen was a monarchy ruled by the Hamidaddin family. North Yemen then became a republic in 1962, but it was not until 1967 that the British Empire, which had set up a protective area around the South Arabia port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew from what became South Yemen. In 1970, the southern government adopted a nominally Communist governmental system. The two countries were united as the Republic of Yemen on 22 May 1990.

Unification did not lead to peace, however. The USS Cole, a visiting U.S. Navy ship, was attacked by Al Qaeda in 2000 while on a fuel stop in Aden. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has since grown stronger in the country, and the U.S. has responded by striking targets in Yemen repeatedly with drone-fired missiles. The government of longtime dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, fell amid dramatic protests associated with the Arab Spring in 2012, but his successor, former Vice President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, hardly rushed to institute the reforms demanded by the demonstrators and was overthrown by the militia of the Shi'a Houthis, who took over the government outright in February 2015. Sunni Arab governments, especially that of Saudi Arabia, were close to Saleh and Hadi and oppose Shi'a rule in this Arabian country. They have supported a coalition of Sunni Islamists called Al-Islah in a civil war against the Houthi forces, and have led a brutal bombing campaign that has damaged the country's infrastructure to the extent that the December 14, 2014 U.S. State Department travel warning states that:

Climate [ edit ]

Mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east. The weather can be chilly in areas where the elevation is high. Sana'a for example is at an elevation of over 2,195 m (7,200 ft). During the winter months, the temperatures can fall to freezing point during the night.

Landscape [ edit ]

Narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in the centre slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula. The interior of Yemen is a highland dissected by valleys. Yemen can be divided into five regions:

Coastal Plain: The Tihamah coastal plain is a low-lying flat plain that has areas with very fertile soil from the streams from the mountains emptying into it. Some of the hottest places on Earth are in Tihamah. Most of its towns are coastal because the salty sea air can lessen the effect of the heat.

Western Highlands: The coastal plain ends abruptly at the western mountains, where monsoon rains coming from Africa gain strength across the Red Sea and the clouds coming in get tangled by the jagged peaks of the Western mountains and precipitate all of whatever the clouds hold. Some areas in the western highlands, notably Ibb and Ta'izz, get rainfall similar to rainforests, supporting fertile land great for coffee, qat, wheat and sorghum. Mountains here are known to have lengthy ascents; most mountains pop out of land 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level to 2,135-3,050 m (7,000-10,000 ft) peaks. Notable peaks include Jabal Sumarah, Jabal Ba'dan, Jabal Sabir, and Jabal Ad Dukayik, all about 3,000 m (10,000 ft) high.

Central Highlands: This is more of a plateau with rolling hills atop it, for the mountains are less jagged and get less precipitation because most of it is released onto the Western Highlands. Some of the highest mountains of the Arabian Peninsula can be found here, including the legendary Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb near the capital Sana'a, at about 3,660 m (12,000 ft) above sea level. Some areas in the central highlands have extremely fertile soil, like in Dhamar, and temperature in the central highlands are extreme also. Diurnal temperatures are the highest in the world, with daytime highs of around 80°F while during the night they can dip to below freezing. Most of the central highlands, other than the mountains, is above 2,000-2,440 m (7,000-8,000 ft) high.

Central Plateau: As a gradual descent from the central highlands begins, it eventually levels off at a 915-1,525 m (3,000-5,000 ft) plateau that is bisected by valleys and wadis, or streams. This terrain is not as rough as the central or western highlands, but vegetation is only possible in the valleys or near wadis, for they provide a lot of irrigation water from precipitation that only occurs in the remote areas. Flash floods are very common. This extends from Shabwah though Hadhramaut and Al Mahra, continuing into Dhofar in Oman, which also revered by many Yemenis as part of Greater Yemen, not to mention also Najran, Jizan, and Asir in Saudi Arabia.

Desert: Rub Al-Khali, aka the Empty Quarter, the most treacherous desert in the world, and also the largest expanse of sand in the world, is in northeastern Yemen, southeastern Saudi Arabia, and northwestern Oman. It receives no rain at all for periods of years, and little to no vegetation exists. Temperature can reach 61°C (142°F)

People [ edit ]

You might think that Yemen is one of the more ethnically homogeneous countries in the Middle East, if all you knew was that nearly 100% of the population identify themselves as Arab . However, many Yemenis have strong regional, sectarian and tribal identities, and political differences also run deep, giving rise to an often contentious and sometimes violent diversity.

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ].

Visa regulations change quite regularly, and an embassy should be contacted to make certain that the relevant documentation is obtained (it is recommended also to ask one of the licensed tour operators in Sana'a). Citizens of most countries (with the possible exception of Gulf Co-operation Council members) must obtain visas in advance. Most visas are valid for 30 days from the date of issue (3 months for European Union, but sometimes it depends on the mood of the official dealing with you). If you have a local contact to help you push the paperwork through, this can increase your chance of getting the visa. Another way of getting visa is via one of the licensed tour operators, as they are allowed to prepare pre-visa paper in the Ministry of Foreign affairs for their clients. Such pre-visa paper is valid for 30 days from the day of issue and upon this a real visa is issued at the Sana'a airport.

By plane [ edit ]

As of 2023, most flights to Yemen are suspended. Yemenia runs a skeleton service based in Aden with flights from Amman , Cairo and Riyadh . There are also flights into Say'un as of 2023 from Aden and Cairo. Other airports, including Sanaa, are either closed permanently or operate only infrequently.

By train [ edit ]

There are no trains to or within Yemen.

By car [ edit ]

It is possible to cross the Omani-Yemeni border in a car, although the border posts are often difficult to negotiate. Crossing from Saudi Arabia in a car is substantially more difficult, as regulations for getting a car into Saudi are very intricate.

By bus [ edit ]

Some buses operating throughout the Arabian peninsula connect to Yemen. The buses are mostly air-conditioned and comfortable, although the fleet sometimes contains old buses which may not be very comfortable to be on for several hour trips. Arriving from Oman can be difficult, especially if you're trying to get to Sana'a . There are buses from Salalah to Sayu'n in Wadi Hadramawt and Al Mukalla on the Indian Ocean, but tourists (especially from non-Arab countries) are not allowed to use public transport on roads linking the East and the West of Yemen: Al Mukalla - Aden and Say'un - Sana'a . The tourist have to take a plane in order to come from the west to the eastern part of the country.

By boat [ edit ]

There are passenger ferries from Djibouti. They are pretty cheap, but not very comfortable.

Supposedly, people have hitchhiked on a cement ship to Socotra from Salalah that leaves once a week and takes 4 days. However, it is often delayed.

Get around [ edit ]

Yemen is not an easy country to get around, since foreign nationals need travel permits and, in some regions, independent travel is not possible. There is a lack of road infrastructure in the eastern Mahra region, while all other Yemeni regions have hundreds of kilometres of newly built roads. If you are an intrepid traveller, the local transport (taxis, buses, aircraft) is perfect to get around on the cheap. More expensive, but more efficient travel is to book your tour via one of the registered tour operators, that are found on the Yemen Ministry of Tourism webpage [dead link] . Be aware that there are many non-registered tour operators in Yemen offering lower quality services, providing non-relevant information and many times tourists do not get all the paid services. In case of any problem, the Ministry of tourism will not be able to help you if you choose to travel with a non-registered tour operator or services provider.

For trips outside the capital, many travellers prefer a car (preferably 4WD) and may choose to hire a driver through a local travel agency. More intrepid travellers should certainly take advantage of the local intracity bus service, which is cheap, comfortable, and a wonderful way to see the country. The buses usually take a pit stop every hour or so, making this a slower but much more interesting way to travel for those who are up for an adventure and some friendly conversation. The biggest company in Yemen is Yemitco, their offices can be found in major cities.

Additionally, all travel outside the capital will require a travel permit ( tasriih ) from the tourist police; their station is 30m up the canal from the Arabian Felix Hotel. You need your passport, list of destinations and how long you are going to stay outside the capital. No photos required, however bring a photocopy of your visa and the picture page in your passport, as the photocopier there often doesn't work. This takes about 15 minutes. Office is closed from noon to (let's say) 14:00. Then you take many photocopies of the tasriih which you hand over at military checkpoints along the way. This may seem inconvenient, however it is designed to prevent travellers unwittingly venturing into areas of tribal unrest—and vice versa. Some areas of the country are off-limits to travel without military escorts, and still other areas are totally off-limits to travel. While the concept of staying informed about local conditions in your intended destinations is an overused one, in Yemen it is essential, as failure to do so may result in kidnappings or worse. No tasriih is checked if you fly to main cities in Yemen, like Aden, Al-hudaida etc.

The usual Middle Eastern shared taxi system exists in Yemen. In every city and often in towns there is at least one shared taxi ( bijou , from Peugeot) station, from where cars go to different destinations. Just ask anyone for your destination and they will point you to a car going there. The driver will not depart until all seats are completely full, which means 2 people in the passenger's seat, four in the middle and three in the back in a standard Peugeot almost invariably used for this purpose. If you want to travel in more comfort, you can pay for two seats or for the whole row. If you're a woman travelling alone you might be offered two seats in front for the price of one, but often you'll be asked to pay for both.

Talk [ edit ]

The official language of Yemen is Arabic .

Yemeni Arabic , the local vernacular, is spoken natively by almost everyone. The dialect is perhaps the toughest Arabic dialect to learn; Yemeni Arabic borrows many features from Classical Arabic, i.e., the variant of Arabic used to write the Qu'ran. It is not unusual for a visitor to be told that their Arabic is not "Yemeni" or "Yemeni enough". Don't be discouraged by this; most Yemenis will appreciate your efforts!

If you don't know the local dialect, do not despair; all Yemeni people learn Modern Standard Arabic at school, so you should have no problems communicating in major cities like Aden or Sana'a .

English is gradually becoming more and more popular, but most Yemenis have little to no knowledge of the language, which is why you will most likely be spoken to in Arabic. If you don't know any Arabic, don't panic! Yemenis are open communicators, and you can get your point across by hand-waving, making noises, and using a variety of gestures.

See [ edit ]

Sana'a: Babel Yemen (old city), Wadi Dhar (Dar al-Hadschar Palace—also known as the rock house). Sana'a is at over 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) in elevation. The old city is a mystical and amazing place and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The streets are alive and bustling around gingerbead-like houses several stories high, one of the oldest cities in the world.

Socotra: Off the south coast of Yemen—an idyllic island untouched by modern man and home to many rare species and plants. The seas are turquoise blue and the sands white and unspoiled. One of the most valuable islands on the planet, often described as the most alien-looking place on Earth. Its beaches resemble those of the Caribbean and its mountains and Yemeni mountains covered in 300 species only found in Socotra. A must-see.

Kawkaban: An old fortress-city northwest of Sana'a 3,000 m (10,000 feet) high, with elegant old buildings an artefacts from the old Himyar civilization 2,000 years ago. Himyaric inscriptions can be seen and so can old Stars of David from the old Jewish roots of Himyar. Below the mountain is a magnificent view of a plain dotted by old towns made of mud-brick.

Sa'dah: The northernmost major town in Yemen, with its old city made entirely out of strong mud that keeps internal temperature warm during the bitter winter. Its surroundings are known for its delicious grapes, raisins, date palms, and other fruits.

Al Mahweet: A northwest town from Sana'a, Al Mahweet is a beautiful and magnificent town atop a mountain where the green scenery and outstanding architectural example of Yemen are at its best. It is part of the western highlands, an area where rain can be extensive and clouds can always be seen below the mountains during the summer.

Bura': A protected area in Yemen in Al Hudaydah governate, this place is a 2,200 m (7,200 foot) mountain covered by a natural forests resembling one of the rainforests of Africa. There are many flora and fauna varieties in Bura' located only in Yemen and its historic boundaries (Najran, Jizan, Asir, Dhofar, & ar Rub' al Khali). It is one of the most beautiful places in Yemen.

Manakhah: A large old town on a peak 2,700 m (9,000 feet) high known for its daring location and beautiful scenery. This town is a good example of life in medieval Yemen.

Ma'rib: The capital of the Sabaean Kingdom, built about 3,000 years ago, with its famous Ma'rib dam, one of the engineering wonders of the world. It was said that thousands of years ago the magnificent dam helped create some of the greenest areas in the world, a notion also supported by historical texts like the Qur'an. The Queen of Sheba is known to have had her kingdom here and artifacts and temples from her reign are still preserved and present.

Ibb: The green heartland of Yemen, with annual rainfall at about 1200 mm per year. It sits in 3300-m high (10,000 foot) mountains. The city of Ibb, however, is in the valley, but waterfalls are known to be present and beautiful. The historic town of Jiblah is near Ibb city. And with the freshest climate on the whole peninsula, there is no wonder why it is referred to as the Green Heart of Yemen.

Al Khawkhah: At one of the hottest places on earth, you need a beach, and at Al Khawkhah, it has one of the best beaches in Yemen. The shore is long and back by fields of palm trees and a small pleasant town. The Red Sea is relatively calm and cool, great for an area where summer temperatures are commonly over 48°C.

Ta'izz: The cultural capital of Yemen, which is the most liberal and the friendliest city in the country. It has been the capital of Yemen when the last Imam was in power and is a medieval city. Towering above Ta'izz is the 3,000 m (10,000 foot) Jabal Sabir, which is known all around Yemen for its dazzling ascent and view from the top. This mountain is very fertile and is home to tens of thousands of people living on and around the mountain.

Shibam: Commonly referred to as the Manhattan of the Desert, this town located in Wadi Hadhramaut has the first skyscrapers of the world. Hundreds of adobe homes ranging from 5-11 storeys high are boxed into a walled area that is simply marvellous. The tops are painted with gypsum, a mineral commonly found in Yemen. Some of the buildings are over 700 years old.

Tarim and Say'un: These nearby towns are made almost entirely of adobe. The towns are well organized and elegant, with famous palaces and mosques in each city.

Al Mukalla: Perhaps the most developed-looking city in Yemen, Al Mukalla is the jewel of the Arabian Sea. Around it around beautiful beaches, however, the best in Yemen is known to be at Bir Ali, which is a lengthy 100 km drive, though well worth it.

Hauf National Park: The only natural forest in the Arabian Peninsula because it is affected by the seasonal monsoon rains that also affects India. Mountains and Hills are layered with a cap of green for mile with wild life similar to one of a rain forests, this forest also extends to the Omani side of the border, from Qishn, Yemen to Salalah, Oman.

Do [ edit ]

Although the accommodation might not be the best, the country holds so many treasures that appeal to any open-minded visitor. The sights are amazing, the people are friendly, their culture is unique, and their food is tasty. Take trips with a personal driver through the mountains to see natural beauty found nowhere else on the planet. See the historical role Yemen played as it survived even during the times of the Sumerians and the Ancient Egyptians, and how no one was able to completely conquer Yemen. And enjoy what the country provides, like gemstones literally littered throughout the mountains, precious beaches, and historical artifacts from this multi-faced nation.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The currency of the country is the Yemeni rial ( YER or ﷼ ). Banknotes circulate in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 250, 500 and 1000 rials, and you are also likely to come across 10 and 20 coins.

The rial is freely convertible and subject to frequent fluctuations.

Shopping [ edit ]

Almost everywhere you look, you will have the chance to buy the curved dagger (jambiya) worn by local men. This purchase can be simply of the dagger and its accompanying sheath, however handmade belts and silver pouches are also for sale. When purchasing a jambiya, remember that it classed as a weapon for customs purposes. Traditionally, handles were made of animal horn or even ivory. While it is doubtful that the handles sold today as being made from either of these products are the real thing, a wooden or amber handle may be a better option. Cheaper options are pendants and brooches commonly available in the shape of the knife and its sheath.

Necklaces and jewellery are also common souvenirs, and many of these are made of the semi-precious stones the souvenir sellers claim. Nevertheless, a healthy grain of salt taken a necklace is made of lapis lazuli or other precious stone.

Bargaining , even with village children, is expected and worthwhile. If you are with local guides, a common approach is to have them ask for the "Yemeni price", however any bargaining on the part of the tourist will result in discounts.

In tourist sites, there will be souvenir-sellers everywhere you look. In some mountain villages, such as Kawkaban , their technique involves almost trapping the tourists with wheelbarrows full of souvenirs. There is an art form to firmly turning down the goods on offer, even when the seller is a young boy or girl in desperately poor circumstances.

The rial is subject to high inflation. As a result, many prices, particularly those quoted to light-skinned visitors, will be given in euros or US dollars. Any of these three currencies will be accepted by the seller, so ask for the cost in whichever currency you are carrying at the time. Discounts for paying in one currency or the other are not high enough to warrant only paying in local money, but you may be lucky.

Eat [ edit ]

Yemeni cuisine differs markedly from the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, and is a real highlight of any trip to the country—particularly if shared by locals (which is an invitation most visitors will receive more often than they might expect).

The signature dish is salta , a meat-based stew spiced with fenugreek and generally served at the end of the main course. The taste may take newcomers by surprise, but it is a taste well worth acquiring.

Mandi is a popular dish of meat and rice with spices originating in the Hadhramaut region. What distinguishes mandi from other similar dishes in the rest of the Middle East and South Asia is that the meat is cooked in a clay oven and hung over the rice, allowing the juices to drip onto the rice as it is cooked.

Yemeni honey is particularly famous throughout the region, and most desserts will feature a liberal serving of it. Bint al-sahn is a sort of flat dough dish which is drenched in honey. Other sweet foods well worth the trying are Yemeni raisins.

While not a "food" per se, something else to put in one's mouth is the qat leaf. This is the Yemeni social drug and is chewed by almost all of the population from after lunch until roughly dinnertime. The plant is cultivated all over the country, and most Yemenis are more than happy to offer visitors a branch or two. Chewing qat is something of an art, but the general idea is to chew the small, soft leaves, the soft branches (but not hard ones) and to build up a large ball of the stuff in a cheek. The ability to chew ever-increasing balls of qat is something of a mark of pride among Yemenis, and the sight of men and boys walking down the street in the afternoon with bulging cheeks is one the visitor will soon get used to. Qat acts as a mild stimulant, and it also has something of an appetite-suppressant function, which may explain why there are so few overweight Yemenis in spite of the nature of their cuisine. Insomnia is another side effect. Qat is associated with mouth and esophageal cancers, so partake carefully.

Drink [ edit ]

Yemen is officially a dry country; however, non-Muslims are entitled to bring up to two bottles of any alcoholic beverage into the country. These may be drunk only on private property, but venturing outside while under the influence is not a wise decision.

Many juices and soft drinks are readily available, but you should avoid more scruffy-looking juice shops as they might be using tap water as base. Many Yemenis will drink tea (shay) or coffee (qahwa or bun) with their meals. Yemeni coffee is considerably weaker than the strong Turkish coffee found elsewhere in peninsular Arabia.

Tap water should be avoided. This is comparatively easy to do, as bottled water—both chilled and at room temperature—is readily available everywhere.

Sleep [ edit ]

Outside of the capital and the major centres ( Sana'a , Aden and al-Mukalla ), accommodation tends to be rather basic and generally of the mattress-on-the-floor variety, generally with shared shower rooms and WCs. Most larger villages will have at least one funduq , which will provide this sort of accommodation. The places tend to be named the [Name of Village] Tourist Hotel. Electricity supplies tend to be a little erratic, so hot water cannot always be counted on.

Funduq accommodation is not rated on the star scale used in other countries, but rather on the Yemeni "sheet" scale, with "no-sheet" being the most basic and "two-sheet" the top of the line. Some other hotels, mostly in Sana'a, go by the star scale, most notably the Movenpick, Sheraton, and the Hilton. This does not mean that in a "no-sheet" funduq one will not receive a sheet, although in some places it may be worthwhile to bring one! Most funduqs will offer some food, almost invariably local cuisine, and the better ones will serve it in a diwan -style room, where one can eat while reclining on cushions. In some funduqs, dinner will be followed by a "party", featuring performances of traditional music and jambiya dances—sometimes with audience participation.

Learn [ edit ]

Particularly in Sana'a, there are institutes offering instruction in Arabic. The advantages of learning the language in Yemen are that the dialect spoken is often quite close to Classical Arabic, and also that languages other than Arabic are much less commonly spoken than they are in nearby countries. However, the one important exception to this rule is the Old Sana'a dialect, which is difficult to understand even for Arabs from other countries, and becoming completely incomprehensible when combined with a big ball of qat in the speaker's cheek.

Work [ edit ]

Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world. The main reason for the lack of wealth: Yemen has paltry deposits of oil compared to its oil-rich neighbours.

Most of the following applied before the ongoing civil war:

• Work in Yemen is difficult to obtain as a foreigner. The collections of young men waiting in public areas and by the roadside looking for work does not reflect a lack of jobs. Rather, it reflects that many Yemenis do not have enough education to work in non-manual jobs. As a result, immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa are often seen in service industries (with a popular joke among expats being that "something typically Yemeni" is in fact an Ethiopian maid). Educated westerners do not, however, have it easy as there are many bureaucratic hurdles to working in Yemen. Most westerners who find jobs there tend to be working as expat staff for a western company with interests in the country.
• The only exception is that if you're an English native speaker, a lot of places in big cities, ranging from schools through universities to governmental organisations and companies are desperate for English teachers , and usually don't require any qualifications. Sometimes it is even possible to get a teaching job if English is not your first language.
• Also in Sana'a the local English-language magazines often need proofreaders.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Yemen is at war, under international attack, and is heavily damaged; see the warning at the top of this page. In addition, there have been problems with terrorism and kidnappings of people including foreigners.

Once it is possible to visit Yemen again, the following will again become relevant:

• The public consumption of alcohol is punishable under Islamic law in Yemen. Homosexual acts are also prohibited and may be punishable by death.
• Driving is on the right. While Yemeni drivers have something of a reputation for bad driving, the reality is slightly more nuanced. Risks are taken, particularly in Sana'a, which would not normally be taken in other places, but the locals expect this to happen and compensate accordingly.
• For trips outside Sana'a, however, a 4-wheel-drive is almost mandatory as most roads away from the routes connecting main cities are not paved. Travellers should also give serious consideration to hiring a local driver/guide, as maps tend not to be as useful as they can be in other countries. A city limits border pass is required as only the cities are well protected by the military. It is also worth noting that Yemen has one of the largest populations of armed civilians in the world, so be polite.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Health care facilities are seriously underdeveloped in Yemen. If you fall seriously ill during your stay, it is advised that you go to neighbouring Oman or Saudi Arabia .

The country in the midst of a cholera outbreak. Wash your hands often, cook food well, and clean up well. For more information on how to stay safe, you may view more information here .

Tap water should be avoided . To stay safe, it is recommended to stick to the bottled variety.

The country is exceptionally dusty . Travelers with breathing difficulties (such as asthma) may encounter problems in more remote destinations.

The dry air (especially from September 'til April) can be bothersome, causing cracked lips and sometimes nosebleeds. Always carry a Vaseline stick with you, available in most pharmacies in Yemen, and a packet of tissues.

Particularly when hiking , remember that much of the country is at altitude. Therefore, as well as taking the usual steps of drinking plenty of water and protection from the sun (which can be very harsh in Yemen), be aware of any dizziness you may be experiencing due to rapid ascents. Many of the more popular hiking routes are covered in loose stones, so be careful of your footing. Some peak ascents can be at a near 70-80 degree angle, so any fall will be devastating. Be prepared with bandages and/or anti-bacterial creams just in case you get a cut, which is normal during hiking.

Malaria is present in low-lying areas along the Red Sea.

Rabid dogs are common in Yemen. If you are bitten by a rabid animal, there is little to no chance that you will be able to receive a rabies vaccination, and you will likely die if you are infected with rabies. Preventative vaccination for rabies prior to arrival is recommended.

Respect [ edit ]

Yemenis, North Africans , and Arabs in the Gulf share a common culture; therefore, what is considered good manners in Arab world is applicable to Yemen.

Things to avoid [ edit ]

There are some things which will be met with disapproval and you should avoid doing the following during your stay in the country.

Politics [ edit ]

• Avoid talking about the United States — many Yemenis feel that the US 'interferes' in the affairs of the country and has done more harm than good.
• Avoid talking about Israel — like their counterparts throughout the Arab world, many Yemenis express negative feelings towards Israel.

Religion [ edit ]

Islam is the state religion of Yemen and it plays an important role in the lives of every Yemeni. As is the case throughout the Arab world, religion is a delicate topic of discussion . Always approach religious discussions with sensitivity and respect.

• When visiting sites of religious importance, behave and dress well. Some mosques may be off-limits to non-Muslims. If in doubt, ask.
• During Ramadan, you should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing in public. Not doing so would be seen as incredibly disrespectful.
• Do not criticise or speak badly of Islam; Yemen has some harsh blasphemy laws.
• Do not talk about religion from an agnostic point of view; this will be met with total incomprehension.
• Anything hinting at proselytism will neither be appreciated nor welcomed; apostasy is a crime in Yemen.

Miscellaneous [ edit ]

1. This is a Muslim country. As such, be sensitive about where you point your camera. There are many great photo opportunities around every corner (the question is usually what to leave out of each image), but when photographing people, always ask first. The Arabic phrase "mumkin akhud sura minak?" is very useful indeed. Don't ever, ever try to take pictures of women , even if you're a woman yourself. This is considered a great offense and can even result in more than a few harsh words. Also don't try to take pictures of anything that looks as if it could be of any strategic importance (i.e. has at least one soldier or policeman guarding it). However, if you ask with good manners and the guards are in a good mood, you might be allowed and take a souvenir photo with a military man holding a machine-gun!

2. Despite being close to the richer oil-producing countries, Yemen is one of the poorest states on earth. Living conditions for many locals are very tough. As a tourist, expect local merchants to demand higher prices from you. While being mindful of the poverty level in Yemen, tourists should resist sympathetic urges to pay the merchant's first price. Bargaining is a way of life in much of the world and is expected of all buyers.

3. If an area is off-limits, it is that way for a very good reason. Tempting as it may be to play the intrepid explorer, there is no reason to increase your risk of being kidnapped or worse unless you absolutely have to.

In addition, be prepared to be asked for pens (qalam, galam) for the local schools, and also sweets (bonbon). In the former case, if you have one to spare you may wish to consider it. In the latter, resist the urge to give a handout as it will create an expectation for the next foreigner to arrive. It should go without saying that you shouldn't give money ("fulus!" "bizniz!") to children. Donate to local charities instead.

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Plan Your Trip to Yemen: Best of Yemen Tourism

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Latest update

We continue to advise:

Do not travel to Yemen (including the island of Socotra) due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorism. 

Yemen (PDF 717.25 KB)

The Middle East (PDF 1.45 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Do not travel to Yemen (including the island of Socotra).

Do not travel to Yemen (including the island of Socotra)  due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorism.

See  Safety

• An increased threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region and ongoing military action in the Occupied Palestinian Territories could lead to increased tensions in other locations in the Middle East. Demonstration and protest activity may occur, and localised security situations could deteriorate with little notice. Avoid all demonstrations and protests. This may also result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and flight diversions and other travel disruptions. 
• Do not travel to Yemen (including the island of Socotra) due to the ongoing civil and international conflict. Military operations continue in Yemen and the Red Sea in response to attacks by Houthi militants on ships transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waters, including the Gulf of Aden.
• Despite truce agreements, the security situation in Yemen remains highly unstable and unpredictable. Airstrikes, other military activities and violent clashes may occur sporadically and without warning. There may be limited government control over parts of the country.
• There's extreme political instability, risk of injury from landmines and unexploded ordinance, and a very high threat of kidnapping and terrorism. You may also be unable to get enough food, water or medical care.
• There's a very high threat of kidnapping and terrorism in urban and rural areas around Yemen, including in the main cities of Sana'a, Aden, Hadhramaut and Ta'izz. If you're in Yemen despite our advice, get professional security advice. Keep a low profile and vary your routines and behaviours. Targets include the Yemeni Government and Houthi interests, foreigners and foreign interests, journalists, international organisations and NGOs. Take extreme care near places that belong to Yemeni authorities.
• Most international airlines no longer fly to Yemen. If you're in Yemen despite our advice, consider leaving if it's safe to. If you can't leave, then shelter in a safe place. Follow the advice of local authorities or trusted security experts before trying to leave by road or other method.
• Australian officials can't currently travel to Yemen to provide consular help. Nearly all countries have suspended embassy operations and withdrawn diplomatic staff. If you enter Yemen or stay despite our advice, work with only reliable, registered and authorised organisations. Don't travel alone or at night.
• Physical, verbal and sexual harassment can occur.
• Important dates and religious or political anniversaries, such as Unity Day on 22 May each year, can cause violence and civil unrest. Avoid public gatherings. Be careful around Friday prayer times.
• Weapons are readily available. Yemenis are often heavily armed. Armed carjacking is common.
• There's a high threat of piracy in Yemeni waters and the Gulf of Aden.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. You'll probably need a special insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for travel to Yemen.
• Cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported. Avoid contact with camels and products contaminated with camel secretions.
• The Sana'a region is at a high altitude which may cause issues if you have lung, heart or chest problems.
• The standard of medical facilities is basic. It's difficult to access medical services in the current conflict, and medical facilities or services in Sana'a, Aden, and elsewhere in the country may not be readily available or efficient. If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need medical evacuation, which can be very expensive and difficult to arrange.

Full travel advice: Health

• Get professional legal advice if you're involved in local legal matters, including family and business law.
• Don't use, carry or traffic illegal drugs. Severe penalties include jail terms and the death sentence.
• Many laws in Yemen are different to those in Australia, including for same-sex relationships, adultery and abandoning the Islamic religion or promoting a religion other than Islam. Punishment may include imprisonment and the death penalty. Drinking alcohol in public, slander, and adultery are all punishable by lashing.
• If you're sexually assaulted, you may face criminal prosecution. Authorities may not consider you to be a victim of crime.
• Be careful when taking photos. Photographing government buildings, military personnel and sites, airports, equipment and other sensitive infrastructure is illegal. These may not be clearly marked.
• Yemen doesn't recognise dual nationality. Dual nationals may need to complete national service.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• If, despite our advice you travel to Yemen, including the island of Socotra, you'll require a visa to enter. This can't be issued on arrival. A visa does not guarantee entry to Yemen.
• You may be denied entry to Yemen if your passport has an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by a border office with Israel.
• If you're trying to leave Yemen, check exit requirements with local immigration authorities before you book your ticket. 

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Yemen for the latest details.

• Land borders, seaports and airports may close with little or no notice. Check with local authorities before travelling to the border.
• The Houthi authorities in northern Yemen have imposed a 'mahram' requirement, which bans women from travelling without a male guardian. In some cases, evidence of a male guardian's written approval may be sufficient. 
• A Yemeni husband may legally stop his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality. Children under 18 need their father's permission to leave the country, regardless of who has custody.
• Don't travel by road without expert local advice. You may need permission from local authorities to travel outside Sana'a and some other cities. Unexploded weapons and landmines are a high risk in the central highlands and southern and eastern regions, especially around Aden and Sa'ada province.
• The waters around Yemen have sensitive security issues and territorial disputes. Get advice from authorities before entering Yemeni waters or ports.
• Forced marriage and marriage of girls under the age of 18 is common in Yemen. Sharia (Islamic) courts have jurisdiction over custody cases involving Muslim parents.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Yemen. Our ability to provide consular services in Yemen is extremely limited. For consular advice, contact the  Embassy of Australia in Saudi Arabia .
• To stay updated with local information, follow the Embassy's social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Security situation.

Do not travel to Yemen, including the island of Socotra due to the ongoing civil and international conflict. There's extreme political and security instability.

Military operations are taking place in response to attacks by Houthi militants on international shipping in the Red Sea. Houthis continue to target and attack ships transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waters, including the Gulf of Aden. This may change at short notice. There may be limited government control over parts of the country.

Violent jihadist groups have a strong presence in some parts of Yemen. Terrorist groups in Yemen remain a serious threat and continue to plan and conduct attacks.

Terrorists have staged repeated attacks against Yemeni Government interests and civilian targets. Foreign interests continue to be prime terrorist targets.

Locals and foreigners, including UN officials and international aid workers, have been targets of kidnapping, terrorism and assassination.

Despite truce agreements, the security situation in Yemen remains highly unstable and unpredictable.

Tribal fighting over land and other causes is common. Local tribes are heavily armed and may use weapons, including in major cities.

There are landmines in some areas of the country, including Hudaydah city. These have killed civilians.

Some regional countries also have a military presence in Yemen.

Following years of conflict, there's been a breakdown in government and public services, including power and water supplies. It has impacted the supply of goods and services across the country. Medical services and supplies are extremely limited and may not be available in some areas.

Food insecurity and a deteriorating economic situation may worsen due to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Truce agreements may be violated or terminated at any moment, which may escalate the security situation and levels of violence.

Transport options to leave Yemen are very limited, and roads may be closed at any time without notice.

Most people in Yemen do not speak English.

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Yemen. It may be difficult for the Australian Government and the Embassy in Riyadh to provide emergency consular or passport services. The Embassy of Australia in Riyadh is not able to provide assistance with evacuation or repatriation to Australians in Yemen.

Travel disruption

Terrorism and civil unrest have severely disrupted air travel and other means of leaving the country.

Most international flights have been suspended. Commercial flights to and from Yemen have operated out of Aden, Seiyun (Hadhramaut) and Sana'a to different destinations in the region. Flights may be disrupted at any time with little notice.

The conflict has damaged airport infrastructure.

You may not be able to get enough food, water or medical care.

If you're in Yemen despite our advice, you should consider leaving if it's safe to do so.

If you can't leave, take shelter in a safe place. Keep a low profile and explore all available options to leave.

Follow the advice from local authorities or trusted security experts before trying to leave by road.

Electricity outages

Electricity supply throughout Yemen is unreliable, and power outages are common. Power outages can last for hours.

Opportunistic criminal acts can occur during power outages.

Businesses such as petrol stations that are reliant on government-supplied electricity or without backup electricity generators may temporarily suspend operations during power outages.

Consular help

There's no Australian Embassy or Consulate in Yemen, and it may be difficult to provide emergency consular or passport services to Australians in Yemen. Our ability to provide other consular and passport help is extremely limited. In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Australia on +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 from Australia.

If you need to renew your passport while in Yemen, contact the Embassy of Australia in Riyadh to check whether you're eligible for a  mailed-in application .

Australian officials have been instructed not to travel to Yemen because of security concerns.

The US and UK governments have recalled their diplomatic staff and suspended embassy operations.

If you enter the country or remain despite our advice:

• keep in contact with family and friends
• don't travel alone or at night
• check routes before you travel
• don't put your travel or other plans on social media
• work with only reliable, registered and authorised organisations and travel agencies
• don't carry large amounts of cash.

There's a very high threat of kidnapping throughout Yemen.

Terrorists in Yemen have kidnapped locals and foreigners in recent years, including UN staff, aid workers and journalists. Some foreign hostages have been killed, and some may have been sold to terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda and Daesh (ISIS).

Kidnappings occur in urban and rural settings around Yemen. 

Terrorist groups, tribal groups and criminal gangs kidnap foreigners, including Australians. Tribal groups and gangs sell victims to terrorist groups.

Kidnappers often ask for large ransom payments to release captives.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to an area where there's a threat of kidnapping, you should:

• get professional security advice and consider reliable resources to protect yourself
• arrange personal security measures, including travelling in convoys during daylight hours
• liaise with trusted contacts
• exercise extreme caution and keep a low profile at all times
• avoid displaying expensive jewellery, electronics or other valuables
• monitor local and international media and other resources for up-to-date information on the local situation.

More information

Terrorist attacks

There's a very high threat of terrorism throughout Yemen.

Terrorist targets include:

• Yemeni Government interests, including infrastructure, seaports and airports, security force bases, government Ministries, and surrounding areas
• security patrols and parades
• Houthi interests
• places of worship
• foreign interests    
• tourist attractions, embassies, diplomatic vehicles, international businesses and organisations, and hotels other locations where foreigners might be

Foreign officials, business travellers, tourists and foreign residents have also been targets.

Terrorists can launch attacks in all parts of Yemen. Foreigners have been attacked in urban and regional areas. 

Terrorists have attacked oil interests and kidnapped oil and international aid workers. They may be planning more attacks on oil infrastructure and organisations, including aid organisations in Yemen.

Houthi militants have conducted attacks targeting oil facilities and terminals in Yemen.

Attacks and assassinations by car bombs, drones and gunfire have occurred. These can occur anywhere in Yemen.  If you decide to remain in Yemen despite our advice, you should:

• get professional security advice and liaise with trusted contacts
• adopt strict security procedures and explore reliable resources to protect yourself
• be aware of your surroundings
• be extremely cautious and keep a low profile at all times
• carefully consider the need for any travel
• monitor local and international media for up-to-date information on the local situation
• consider keeping your next of kin informed by your welfare

All Australians are at risk, regardless of occupation, ethnic or religious background, location or length of stay.

Always be alert. Avoid posting your photos and geographical locations on social media while in Yemen. Vary your routines and make sure patterns in your behaviour and movement aren't obvious to anyone watching.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

Terrorist threats

Civil unrest and political tension

The security situation in the region remains unpredictable and could deteriorate with little or no warning.

Demonstrations and protests

Demonstrations and protests can take place at any time and place. Even peaceful events can turn violent without warning.

Important dates and political anniversaries can motivate violence and civil unrest.

Significant civil unrest occurs around days related to the reunification of North and South Yemen. This includes Unity Day on 22 May every year.

If you're in Yemen, despite our advice, you should:

• avoid major events because violence could happen
• not go to any demonstrations, protests or political rallies and leave affected areas as soon as it's safe
• stay away from crowds because they can often turn violent

Be careful around Friday prayers, mourning, and religious anniversaries and festivals, and stay indoors.

Carefully monitor local media for safety and security risks, including significant political events that may increase tensions. Follow the advice of local authorities.

Protests and demonstrations may affect your ability to travel by road. During demonstrations, roads, highways, and other routes, including to and from the airport, can be blocked. Security checkpoints can be deployed in or around the areas of demonstrations and protests.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Weapons are readily available, and tribes are often heavily armed.

Violent crimes and organised crime are widespread in Yemen. Police response times are poor. Local law enforcement's ability or willingness to respond to serious crimes may be limited or non-existent.

Armed carjacking has occurred in many parts of the country. Drive with your doors locked and windows up at all times.

Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and credit card fraud, such as skimming, may happen. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, electronic items or other valuables.

Don't bring large amounts of cash to Yemen. Exchange currency at official exchange stores only.

To protect yourself against petty theft:   

• keep a close eye on your belongings
• leave valuables in a safe place and carry only what you need
• secure your passport and other travel documents

If you're female, take extra care when dealing with strangers or people you've just met. Be especially wary about accepting rides or invitations. Women travelling alone can be harassed and should take care, especially at night.

In Houthi-controlled areas (central and northern Yemen), authorities may seek to detain women participating in community and leadership activities or women travelling without a male guardian.

There's a significant threat of piracy and armed robbery in Yemeni waters, the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

Pirates have attacked vessels and held foreigners hostage for ransom in the Gulf of Aden.

Somali pirates have attacked vessels more than a thousand nautical miles (1850km) from the coast of Somalia.

Attractive targets for Somali pirates include:

• commercial vessels
• pleasure craft
• luxury cruise liners

You should remain out of the  designated High-Risk Area  or face the risk of being hijacked and held hostage for ransom. Check with the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) at  www.mschoa.org .

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

• Piracy reports  issued by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Climate and natural disasters

Yemen experiences  severe weather .

The monsoon season is from June to September. Flooding can occur.

Sandstorms and dust storms can happen.

Yemen has  earthquakes  and active volcanoes.

Register with the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System  to receive alerts on major disasters.

If a  natural disaster  happens:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• monitor local media and other sources, such as the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in touch with friends and family
• seek local advice before entering affected areas

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including hospital stays and medical evacuation. Be aware that most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept Australian or other health insurance. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs or get involved in any commercial disputes.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

You'll probably need a specialised insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for travel to Yemen.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location .

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Some medicines may not be available in Yemen, and there may be shortages of other medicines.

Some skincare products and e-cigarette refills may contain ingredients that are illegal in Yemen, such as Cannabidiol (CBD) oil. CBD oil or products are illegal in Yemen, even if they're for medical or recreational purposes. It's a serious crime to carry illegal drugs or CBD oil or products in Yemen. Punishment can result in imprisonment and deportation.

For more information or to check if your medication is legal in Yemen, please contact and check with your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Yemen prior to your departure.

Local authorities may detain or deport travellers for:

• carrying medication to treat HIV/AIDS or hepatitis
• testing positive for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis - see  Health

Always take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry your medicine in its original packaging and a copy of your prescription or a dated letter from your doctor that states:

• the medicine's brand and scientific (chemical) name
• the prescribed dosage and the duration of treatment, and
• that it's for your personal use.

Health risks

Respiratory system risks.

Cases of  Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)  have been reported in Middle Eastern countries, including Yemen.

Countries outside the Middle East have also reported cases from returning travellers.

The altitude in the Sana'a region can cause problems, especially for those who suffer from lung, heart or chest problems.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria  is common, except in areas above 2000m. Chloroquine-resistant strains have been reported.

Other insect-borne diseases, such as  dengue ,  filariasis  and  leishmaniasis  are common.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other  infectious diseases  are common. These include:

• tuberculosis
• bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
• polio (poliomyelitis)

Severe outbreaks sometimes happen. Ensure all your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.

A major cholera outbreak has intensified since late April 2017. Cholera is spread mainly through contaminated drinking water or food. In addition to cholera, other contagious diseases are circulating in the country.

To stay safe:

• avoid drinking tap water. Drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• don't eat ice cubes
• avoid raw or undercooked food, such as salads

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The current conflict has made it difficult to access medical services.

The standard of medical facilities and services is generally poor and is of an even lower standard in rural areas. Ambulance and emergency services are inadequate and are often not available or accessible, particularly in rural areas.

You must pay upfront if you're treated in private healthcare facilities. Most hospitals accept cash payments only.

You may need to be medically evacuated for serious illness, an accident, or complex procedures. Medical evacuation can be very expensive and difficult to organise. Check your insurance policy and contact your insurance provider for assistance.

The electricity supply throughout Yemen is unreliable, and power outages are very common. Public and private hospitals that don't have backup power generators sometimes temporarily suspend operations during power outages.

If you're in a rural area and become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to main cities or internationally. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Keep local emergency numbers and local contacts with you at all times.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

There's no Australian Embassy or Consulate in Yemen. Our ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in Yemen is extremely limited, including if you're arrested or jailed.

Get professional legal advice if you're involved in local legal matters. This includes criminal, business or family law, divorce, child custody and child support.

It's illegal to give birth out of wedlock. Sentences can include imprisonment or the death penalty. Yemen does not recognise children born outside marriage and does not issue birth certificates for children born outside marriage.

Buying or removing Yemeni antiquities is illegal without a permit from the relevant local authorities.

In Yemen, both men and women should dress modestly in public.

Be aware of your rights and responsibilities.

If you wish to  marry  a Yemeni national, your partner will first need approval from the Government of Yemen. Check current requirements and timeframes directly with the relevant local authorities.

Punishment for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs is severe. Penalties include fines, jail or the death penalty.

• Carrying or using drugs

Serious offences

Authorities can detain you without charge if you're suspected of committing an offence.

You may have to wait months for legal help or for a court appearance while authorities investigate.

Trials are held under Islamic law and procedures.

People convicted of serious offences can face:

• long jail sentences
• heavy fines
• deportation

Penalties for some offences are severe and can carry the death penalty. These offences include:

• arson/explosion
• endangering transport and communications
• prostitution
• same-sex relationships
• abandoning the Islamic religion
• promoting religions other than Islam

Some crimes are punishable by lashing and imprisonment. These include drinking alcohol in public, slander and adultery.

Get permission before taking photographs of people, especially women and children.

It's illegal to take photos of:

• government buildings
• military personnel
• military installations
• other sensitive infrastructure

Military sites aren't always clearly marked or defined.

Preaching or promoting a religion other than Islam in public, except in churches, is illegal. Attempting to convert Muslims is illegal.

Preaching non-Islamic religions in Yemen, even to non-Muslims, may be perceived negatively by local people and may raise the attention of radical and extremist groups. Consequences could be severe and could result in assaults or death by such groups or other local religious organisations or individuals.

Restrictions apply to the sale or possession of alcohol, pornography and pork. Customs authorities at border entry points will confiscate these products.

In some cases, authorities have detained travellers at borders because of the smell of alcohol on their breath.

LGBTQIA+ laws

Yemen doesn't recognise or allow same-sex marriages and rights. 

Same-sex relationships are illegal, and sentences can include imprisonment or the death penalty.

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian law

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Local customs

The Islamic holy month of  Ramadan  is observed in Yemen. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. Avoid dressing inappropriately, eating, drinking or smoking in public or around people who are fasting. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Explore our  Ramadan  page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Dress and behaviour standards

There are strict Islamic codes of dress and behaviour. Any disrespect for Islam will cause offence. Be modest in your dress and behaviour. Take care not to offend. If in doubt, get local advice.

Wear a headscarf and cover your arms and legs if you're a woman. Don't wear shorts or unbuttoned shirts if you're a man.

Other local customs

Non-Muslims may not enter mosques.

Public displays of affection may cause offence.

It's generally unacceptable for unmarried couples to live together.

Hotels may not allow couples to stay unless they can prove they are married.

Dual citizenship

Yemen doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual citizen and enter Yemen using a non-Australian passport, you can only leave Yemen with the passport you used to enter.

If you're in Yemen, it may be difficult for us to provide you with emergency consular services.

Dual nationals may need to complete national service if they visit Yemen.

If you have any enquiry related to dual nationality, contact the nearest  Embassy or Consulate of Yemen  before you travel.

Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

We advise against all travel to Yemen, including the island of Socotra.

Australians are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Yemen.

Some private tourist companies located outside Yemen may be offering tourist visas and flight packages to the Island of Socotra in Yemen. Ensure that you obtain a visa from the legitimate Yemeni Government. Please contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Yemen for details.

If you're trying to leave Yemen, check exit requirements with local immigration authorities before you book your ticket.

Contact your airline and/or travel agent for their schedules and how to purchase tickets. You may be charged administrative fees.

Flights could be delayed or cancelled at short notice. Check with your airline before travelling to the airport.

All land borders with countries neighbouring Yemen, seaports and airports may close at short or without prior notice. Check with local authorities before travelling to the border. Check our travel advice for  Saudi Arabia  and  Oman , which share land borders with Yemen.

Regardless of the purpose and duration of stay, persons with known HIV infection are not allowed to enter Yemen.

Local authorities may detain and deport travellers for: 

• carrying medication to treat HIV/AIDS or hepatitis 
• testing positive for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis

You may be denied entry to Yemen if your passport has an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp, or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by a border office with Israel.

Check with your airline for the latest information on the airline's own boarding requirements.

Other formalities

Women can be subject to strict family controls and may be stopped from leaving the country.

In Houthi-controlled areas, a decree has been issued that women, including female aid workers, may only travel if accompanied by a male guardian ('Mahram'). This includes women travelling between Houthi-controlled areas and when travelling outside Yemen via Sana’a International Airport. An exemption may be granted in limited circumstances.

A Yemeni husband may legally stop his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality.

Children under 18 must have their father's permission to leave the country. It doesn't matter what the status of their parent's marriage is or who has custody.

Single parents or adults travelling alone with children may need documentation. You may need evidence of parental responsibility before you're allowed to leave the country with children.

Forced marriage and the marriage of girls under the age of eighteen is common in Yemen. Australian girls/women, including dual nationals who travel to Yemen, may become victims of forced marriage. Local authorities may not be in a position to provide protection or support to victims of forced marriage or women suffering from domestic violence and abuse.

Sharia (Islamic) courts have jurisdiction over custody cases involving Muslim parents. When custody disputes arise, and a custody case is before the local court, the local court may impose a travel ban on the child/children. In line with the  Consular Services Charter , the Embassy of Australia cannot intervene in court proceedings and private and/or legal matters, including family and custody disputes. Seek advice from a competent local lawyer.

A travel ban can be imposed against individuals even without a court order. In this case, the Embassy of Australia cannot assist, as outlined in the  Consular Services Charter .

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Authorities may not let you enter or exit Yemen if:

• you're travelling on an emergency passport
• the name and/or photo in your passport are different from how you present

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by Yemen. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of Yemen  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

The local currency is the Yemeni Rial (YER).

Banking facilities are limited.

ATMs are rare outside Sana'a. It's difficult to exchange Australian dollars in Yemen. US dollars in cash is the most easily convertible currency. Exchange currency at official exchange stores only. You may need to use cash for most transactions in Yemen. Most places, including hotels and hospitals, do not accept payment via bank or credit cards.

Yemen has rules about the amount of currency you can bring in and take out. Currency limits can change. Check details with your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Yemen prior to your travel.

Local travel

If you travel to Yemen against our advice, you should regularly assess your security arrangements and carefully plan your movements. Security precautions and arrangements may not remove the security threat in Yemen. Many areas are sensitive from a security or territorial point of view. If you travel against our advice, you should:

• be proactive and remain alert to your surroundings at all times
• not travel alone within and between cities
• not draw attention to yourself and keep a low profile
• secure your belongings, and leave copies of important documents in a safe place or with your family
• carry as little currency as possible
• know who to call in an emergency
• keep your friends and family updated.

You may need permission from local authorities to travel outside Sana'a and some other cities.

Authorities may close access to certain areas without notice.

Petrol and diesel may be limited and unavailable sometimes without prior notice by local authorities.

Unexploded weapons and munitions, including landmines, are a major hazard. They're found in the central highlands and the western, southern and eastern regions, especially around Aden, Lahij, Ad Dali, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Ma'rib, Shabwah and Ta'iz and in Sa'ada province.

Road travel

Travelling by road in conflict areas is dangerous. Don't consider it without expert local advice. Public transportation is insecure and unreliable. Access routes in and out of major cities may be blocked or closed. Roadblocks and checkpoints may be set up without warning. Driving standards are poor, and mountain roads are hazardous. There is a severe shortage of fuel.

Other potential risks may include landmines and unexploded ordnance from previous and ongoing conflicts, including in some rural areas and areas where there is conflict. Landmine locations may not be marked.

Avoid all road travel outside of the main cities at night.

If you plan to drive:

• check your insurance covers you
• learn local traffic rules and behaviour
• know what to do in case of an incident or accident
• follow the speed limits
• do not cross any red traffic lights
• always keep your car windows up and doors locked, even when moving
• stay alert, especially when driving at night
• remain alert as drivers may drive on the wrong side of the road and don’t follow traffic laws

Shared taxis are common in Yemen. Private taxis are also available in major cities and at airports. Negotiate taxi fares in advance. It may not be safe to use local taxis. Seek advice from local authorities and trusted contacts.

Boat travel

Do not travel to Yemen, including the island of Socotra, due to the security situation. There is extreme political and security instability.

Military operations are occurring in Yemen and the Red Sea in response to attacks by Houthi militants on ships transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waters, including the Gulf of Aden. If you travel to Yemen despite our advice, seek guidance from authorities before entering Yemeni waters or ports.

There are reports of sea mines planted in the southern Red Sea near ports and drifting sea mines near the border with Saudi Arabia.

Keep a safe distance from the FSO Safer supertanker, moored approximately 4.8 nautical miles off Yemen’s Red Sea coast near Hodeidah Port, which is at risk of exploding or sinking.

The security situation remains volatile. There's widespread disruption to air travel and other departure options.

The safety record of airlines in Yemen is not available. There is no data about how well local planes are maintained. This lack of transparency raises concerns about airline safety.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Emergencies

Emergency services may not be available or reliable.  Don't rely on them.

Check with local authorities for the emergency contact numbers you may need in the city of your stay. Emergency contact operators may not speak English.

Depending on what you need, you should contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The phone network is unreliable and limited outside of cities and large towns. Internet services are available but are poor and do not cover most areas of the country. Internet services are very unreliable on mobile networks.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Yemen, therefore the Australian government and Embassy in Riyadh are unable to provide emergency services to Australians in Yemen.

The ability of the Australian Government to provide consular help to Australians in Yemen is extremely limited.

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact the Embassy of Australia in Riyadh, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Australia on +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 from Australia.

Embassy of Australia, Riyadh

Abdullah Bin Hozafa Al-Shami Avenue

Diplomatic Quarter

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Phone: +966 11 2500 900

Fax: +966 11 2500 902

Email: [email protected]

Website:  saudiarabia.embassy.gov.au

X:  @AusAmbKSA

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AusEmbKSA

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

The working week is Sunday to Thursday.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Yemen?

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

FCDO advises against all travel to Yemen 

FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Yemen due to the unpredictable security conditions.

If you’re in Yemen, you should leave immediately.  

See Safety and security for more information. 

Military activity in the region

On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel.

On 19 April, there have been reports of explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq.

Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact  FCDO  travel on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . You can also  get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Read  FCDO  advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas.

UK government support 

Support for British people is severely limited in Yemen. British Embassy services in Sana’a are suspended, and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn. 

The UK government cannot help British nationals leaving Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place. 

FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point. The UK government’s ability to help with onward travel is severely limited and you’ll be expected to cover the cost of visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel yourself. 

If you choose to remain in Yemen, you should minimise movement around the country and within cities and towns, monitor developments in the local security situation and follow other precautions in this travel advice. 

If you’re a British national in Yemen and need help from the UK government, you can call FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel against FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice 

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications  when this advice is updated. 

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Encyclopedia of Tourism pp 1–3 Cite as

Yemen Tourism

• Khaled Alduais 3  
• Living reference work entry
• Latest version View entry history
• First Online: 29 April 2023

The Republic of Yemen is located in Western Asia, occupying part of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and Oman (Fig. 1 ). Yemen is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Middle East, occupying 527,970 km 2 (203,850 mi 2 ) and having about 2000 km of coastline with 200 islands. The population is approximately 29.8 million (United Nations 2020 ).

Country Map

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution .

Euromonitor International. 2013. Travel and tourism in Yemen – industry overview: Country report . London: Euromonitor International.

Google Scholar  

Ministry of Tourism. 2010. Annual statistics . Sana’a: Ministry of Tourism.

United Nations. 2020. Yemen. http://data.un.org/en/iso/ye.html . Retrieved 17 Apr 2021.

World Bank. 2020. Yemen’s economic update, April https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/684451603047324789/pdf/18-mpo-am20-yemen-yem-kcm2.pdf . Retrieved 17 Apr 2021 .

WTTC. 2013. Travel and tourism economic impact . London: World Travel and Tourism Council.

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Alduais, K. (2023). Yemen Tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_676-5

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Yemen International Forum 2023 Report

• Main Publications

Message from the YIF Director

The Yemen International Forum (YIF) began life as an ambitious if improbable idea. The aim was to have a forum conceived and implemented by Yemenis that would provide a powerful platform for bringing together as many elements of Yemeni society as possible, along with international actors, to discuss the country’s manifold problems. By attempting to build a common vision among the diverse parties beyond the formal peace process, progress might be made, even in small ways. Having a local organization lead an initiative on peace and dialogue at this scale would also empower Yemenis, ensuring solutions brought to the table are locally conceived and led.

Two years later, this homegrown approach to peacebuilding is bearing fruit. The YIF provides a neutral space for frank and open discussions, ensuring that emerging solutions and opportunities put forward by a broad base of Yemenis are amplified to inform peace-making efforts. In its design, the YIF emphasizes local ownership and local priorities by fostering collaboration and a sense of common ownership. The YIF encourages participants to think about a collective future, in which Yemenis from all walks of life can get along. This year we made some important breakthroughs, with wider engagement from the various political parties, a larger platform for minorities and victims to express themselves, bolder moves to address transitional justice, and constructive dialogue on how to de-escalate economic warfare.

Moving forward, and with the support of our dedicated team and committed partners, we will continue to strive to widen the peace process, expand participation to represent as many socio-political groups as possible, and provide Yemenis with the opportunity to convene and take the lead in planning our country’s future. The time has come to shape contemporary events rather than simply analyze why they have happened, or what got us to this point. We must take what we have learned and act, so that we might create a better country for our children and grandchildren.

Until the next Forum,

Waleed Alhariri Director of the Yemen International Forum

About the Yemen International Forum

The YIF is the largest international annual conference bringing together Yemeni civil and political actors to engage in constructive dialogue on Yemen’s future. The conference offers a neutral space for Yemeni actors of all stripes to come together and collectively craft solutions for sustainable peace. The YIF conference is part of a larger initiative that includes consultations with Yemeni stakeholders and experts, the production of research based on the conference outcomes, and extensive regional and international shuttle diplomacy that takes place throughout the year. These Yemeni-Yemeni dialogues are intended to complement the formal UN-led peace process, ensuring the creation and maintenance of an inclusive multi-stakeholder platform to engage in envisioning and building a post-war Yemen.

A Platform for the Aspirations of Yemenis

Yemen’s peace negotiations have been largely confined to the warring parties, sidelining many national stakeholders, who have increasingly found themselves on the margins. The future of Yemen, however, rests on how well these different segments of society engage in the peace process, and how involved they are in shaping the country’s future. This is the premise of the YIF, which seeks to represent the multiple voices of Yemenis, including those dispossessed by the war. Designed to bring together women and men from a wide range of backgrounds, the YIF gathers members of different Yemeni political parties, along with youth, civil society organizations, trade unions, tribes, the private sector, experts, journalists, artists, activists, academics, and other vital stakeholders.

To provide a safe environment for dialogue to take place, the YIF utilizes a mixture of open plenaries and discussions held under the Chatham House Rule, as well as ad hoc side meetings in which participants are encouraged to engage in frank and constructive dialogue on the future of Yemen, while offering the space for participants to navigate their differences. As a multi-stakeholder forum, and to ensure that the world’s eyes on Yemen remain open, the YIF also engages key regional and international actors, including the United Nations, the diplomatic community, and diverse experts and human rights organizations working on mediation support and conflict resolution.

Pathways to a Just, Inclusive, and Sustainable Peace

The second Yemen International Forum was convened in the Hague, Netherlands, from June 12-15, 2023. More than 200 participants attended, traveling from Yemen and other parts of the world to collectively work toward more just, inclusive, and sustainable visions for peace. [1]

Since the first Yemen International Forum was held in Stockholm, Sweden, in June 2022, important shifts have taken place on the ground. A UN-brokered truce, struck in April 2022, expired without further agreement between the conflicting parties. Despite its collapse, Yemen has witnessed a period of relative de-escalation, accompanied by significant diplomatic efforts to resurrect the truce and jumpstart peace negotiations. Peace, however, remains distant. Yemenis continue to struggle with a lack of basic services, salaries that have not been paid in years, an economy that is on the verge of collapse, healthcare systems that are overwhelmed, a fractured education system, and the radicalization of Yemen’s youth. Yemenis also continue to face severe violations and infringements of their rights, including gender-based violence, killings, arrests, the forced disappearance of activists and members of civil society, attacks against minorities, restricted freedom of movement for civilians, a stifling of the civic sphere and an alarming rollback on women’s rights aimed at limiting their participation in public life.

Against this backdrop, and building on the work of the first YIF, the 2023 Forum focused on a just, inclusive, and sustainable peace, which served as the three guiding principles that informed the different sessions and plenaries that took place over the four-day event. YIF 2023 focused on three main thematic files:

• Political Pathways to Peace : Building an inclusive peace through a Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue across political divides while guaranteeing the meaningful participation of women, youth, minorities, and civil society actors.
• Economic Recovery: Enhancing resilience and early recovery, focusing on the banking sector and pathways to revitalizing key economic sectors.
• Justice and Reconciliation: Building a just peace, with redress for victims and respect for human rights, allowing for the restoration of social cohesion.

Other themes – Gender equality and women’s participation, security reform, and the environment and water – were incorporated throughout the Forum’s agenda in different plenaries and side sessions.

Key Outcomes In Brief

• A Roadmap for Transitional Justice: One of the boldest messages of the YIF 2023 was asserting the need for transitional justice to prevent future cycles of violence. A declaration endorsed by more than 30 civil society leaders was presented at the YIF, intended as a prelude to a more comprehensive transitional justice roadmap being worked on by the YIF team in conjunction with other civil society organizations and the international community. The roadmap will focus on key steps, including better documentation of violations and wider conversations between stakeholders on what shape transitional justice should take.
• A Victim-Centered Approach: Victims of Yemen’s war were widely represented at YIF 2023, including victims of coalition air strikes, landmines, gender-based violence, persecution, arbitrary detention, and torture. The Forum offered a much-needed platform for their voices to be heard, but more needs to be done to strengthen victims’ associations and support victims to better organize themselves. In the short term, a mapping exercise of the various victims’ unions and associations will be conducted to identify their needs and priorities.
• Renewed Pledge to Stop the Systematic Exclusion of Women: Faced with a worrying setback in women’s rights and an increase in gender-based violence since the start of the war, the international community and the UN must do more to use their leverage to address the exclusion of women. At YIF 2023, multilateral organizations operating in Yemen were urged to comprehensively collect data on gender-based violence and take an unequivocal public stance against restrictions on women’s movement and participation in public life.
• Protection of Minorities: Marginalized minority groups are increasingly facing a precarious situation in Yemen, with the conflict exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and eroding the already limited legal rights they enjoy. Clear mechanisms need to be adopted to secure their inclusion in the peace process and protection for minority groups in a post-settlement context. To that end, continued conversations around the importance of legal reforms to protect minorities must take place in order to raise the profile of their plight, and advocate for their access to education, healthcare, and security.
• Deterring Armed Groups: As Yemen continues to witness an alarming rise in the number of armed fighters, options for security sector reform were discussed, ranging from strengthening the role of civil society and tribal leaders in local security oversight, including for localized ceasefires, to the need for a central coordination mechanism across governorates and warring parties areas of control, and exploring the possibility of a decentralized security sector where demobilization efforts are led by local authorities. A technical group composed of different national security experts was formed following the YIF to explore workable solutions to the rise of armed groups in the country.
• Integration of Local Mediators: Local mediators continue to do the bulk of peacebuilding work within their communities, often faster and more efficiently than more conventional channels that work toward diffusing conflict. The rich tradition of local mediation in Yemen must inform national mediation efforts. The international community, and the office of the UN Special Envoy in particular, would benefit from creating synergies with local mediators and establishing mechanisms for more regular communication and coordination.
• An Economic Truce: In tandem with a political settlement, Yemenis need an immediate economic truce. This should be brokered by the UN Special Envoy’s office, with key issues such as neutralizing the banking sector, and de-escalating the economic measures and countermeasures taken by the warring parties proactively addressed. A comprehensive economic matrix was developed by a group of experts, bankers, and economists attending the YIF, building on the outcomes of the YIF 2022 in Sweden. The matrix offers practical steps and actions to help navigate and address bottlenecks in the economic file, serving as an entry point to influence policy and bring different parties together to develop economic solutions.
• Engaging the Private Sector in Economic Recovery : The private sector has played a vital role in mitigating the effects of the ongoing conflict and in filling gaps left by the collapse of the country’s public institutions. In the transition from humanitarian relief to economic recovery, coordination with the private sector will prove key. Strengthened collaboration between international actors, the government, and private sector organizations can better drive the rebuilding of infrastructure, the provision of public services, and the revitalization of strategic economic sectors such as fisheries and agriculture.
• Addressing Yemen’s Water Crisis and Vulnerability to Climate Change: As the conflict has taken center stage, the country’s vulnerability to climate change has taken a backseat, as has its pre-existing water crisis. Yemen’s precarious environmental situation presents an existential risk to its future, and water scarcity is one of the primary drivers of conflict. Investment in early warning systems, reconstruction projects that take the environment into account, and access to climate financing were all priorities flagged at YIF 2023. Supporting technical solutions to reduce the agricultural sector’s water dependency was also deemed of paramount importance. To access the international support available for climate financing, recommendations were put forward to develop policy briefs on water governance, climate change adaptation, and climate finance.

From a Place of Peace

From the heart of the Peace Palace in the Hague, Maged al-Madhaji, Chairperson and Co-founder of the Sana’a Center, told participants that the convening the Forum did not mean peace was imminent, but that the YIF serves to reflect the aspirations of Yemenis and build consensus on practical visions and ideas for the future of Yemen. “We will never tire of reviving opportunities for dialogue,” said Al-Madhaji. “No matter how futile these attempts might seem, we believe that discussion and the development of ideas are the beginning of a path toward change.”

Drawing on the historical symbolism of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, H.E. Paul Huijts, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reminded the audience how Europe learned the hard way that unresolved grievances can become a breeding ground for future conflict, noting that there can be no lasting peace that is not inclusive, nor can there be peace without addressing justice and accountability. Setting the tone for collective discussions among the different stakeholders, he spoke about the importance of shifting focus, and rising above habitual narratives to envision how a peaceful society can emerge in Yemen. “You cannot build a better future if you don’t have a vision of what that future should look like,” he said, “and how it will differ from the past.”

Southern Solidarity and Dialogue

Unreconciled grievances were a dominant theme among YIF participants, notably among those attending sessions that brought different parties representing southern Yemen to the table. This year saw rich engagement and a wider participation from southern parties, including a high-level official delegation from the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Al-Mahra’s Sit-in Committee, the Hadramawt Inclusive Conference, the Southern Revolutionary Movement, Southern Hirak, as well as independent southern activists and prominent political figures. The discussions came against the backdrop of a trying year for the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), which continues to suffer from discord and division among its members since its formation in April 2022. The YIF took place just weeks after the Southern Consultative Meeting was launched by the STC on May 4, 2023, bringing together a range of southern actors and leading to the announcement of the STC-led Southern National Charter.

Some YIF participants underscored the need for STC-led consultations to be more inclusive of the various southern parties, and in response, the STC noted that the Southern National Charter was a living document subject to revision. In its first opportunity to engage with a diverse variety of national stakeholders and diplomats present at the Forum, STC members reiterated the group’s commitment to unity among southern stakeholders and its support for the PLC, a statement welcomed by international diplomats present in the Forum who emphasized that the PLC is the only recognized governing body in Yemen. Despite divergent perspectives on the STC’s efforts to bring together different southern factions, and the contentious debate of secession versus unity, attendees agreed on the urgent need for a united southern front, and failing that, face up to the ramifications of further militarization of the south.

The Urgent Need for an Economic Truce

Yemenis cannot afford to wait for a peace agreement to address the failing economy. This was the overall message delivered by YIF participants attending various sessions on economic recovery, which featured as one of the three core YIF thematic issues. “The suffering caused by the failing economy is more painful than that of any military or political issues,” said Ali al-Hebshi, a prominent businessperson who was part of a panel on shaping the future of Yemen, noting that alongside political de-escalation, Yemen was in urgent need of an economic truce. “Economic challenges have impacted every single household in our country,” he added, citing the loss of jobs, the split monetary system, unpaid salaries, skyrocketing prices, stunted economic growth, and a banking sector on the verge of collapse. To mitigate the fallout from the war, participants urged the brokering of an economic truce to contain the warring parties’ ongoing escalation over the banking sector. Such mediation, brokered by the UN Special Envoy’s office, should first focus on technical aspects in which parties to the conflict have joint interests and could implement separately, such as regulating money exchangers and supporting digital financial services.

Addressing growing appeals by Yemeni participants for donors and the international community to support more long-term programming and transition from humanitarian relief to economic recovery, David Gressly, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said such a shift comes with risk. “We need to resist the impulse, that if peace is on the horizon, of moving immediately to development and drop humanitarian assistance,” Gressly said in the opening remarks of the YIF conference. “This is not a relay race. This is a transition that will take time, and humanitarian assistance will be required for a number of years going forward until we can find an economy that’s truly recovered.”

Yemeni experts, however, reiterated calls for a shift from humanitarian aid to development and for more focus on state-building. “What Yemen needs is to transition from the relief phase to the development phase by relying on a three-pillar approach that consists of the private sector, local authorities, and civil society in all its components, including unions and political parties,” said Rafat al-Akhali, Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University. In a plenary on shared economic visions for early recovery, Tania Meyer, the World Bank Country Manager for Yemen, said that “it does not have to be either humanitarian or development,” adding that embracing such a binary framework would do Yemen a disservice. Underscoring that recovery and reconstruction will ultimately need to be driven and led by Yemenis, she said the role of the international community is to “support, support, support,” with a particular focus on locally driven interventions, investing in Yemen’s youth, and supporting the private sector, whose entrepreneurial spirit has helped fill the absence of a functioning state.

In a session on the role of the private sector in economic recovery and reconstruction economists and business leaders urged the government to coordinate with the private sector, noting the vital humanitarian role it has been playing to mitigate the effects of the collapse of public institutions. Participants stressed the importance of building partnerships and supporting strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, particularly in infrastructure and in the provision of public services, while working to keep the private sector neutral and separate from the conflict. In a session on revitalizing strategic and economic sectors, experts from diverse backgrounds held detailed conversations about how to revitalize two important economic sectors: agriculture and fisheries. Discussions were held on the importance of water harvesting programs, knowledge transfer, and the adoption of modern techniques to help farmers, along with innovative mechanisms to develop Yemen’s fishing industry, and the ability of these sectors to adapt to climate change.

No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Accountability

As one of the three core areas highlighted this year, transitional justice was a central topic of discussion, despite the hesitancy and resistance last year from both local and international actors concerned that such a contentious issue could risk derailing the peace process. This year witnessed broader endorsement and support for the need to discuss transitional justice, based on the understanding that the pursuit of justice and redress for the countless victims of Yemen’s war is a fundamental principle underpinning peace . But what does transitional justice mean to Yemenis? Does it start now or after a peace settlement? Will it entail redress and reparations for victims of Yemen’s war, and in what form? Will it be punitive or conciliatory? Will it tackle criminal accountability? These were just some of the delicate issues addressed during sessions that brought together victims and survivors to share their stories and exchange ideas on what justice could look like.

“From this symbolic place, a place for peace, we demand that there is a comprehensive peace. There cannot be peace without justice. And there cannot be justice without accountability,” said Amat al-Salam al-Hajj, in one of the opening plenaries on the first day of the conference. The founder of the Abductees’ Mothers Association, an organization formed at the gates of a prison in 2015, she warned the audience that cycles of violence and revenge will continue if accountability and reconciliation are not addressed, adding: “These victims are a ticking time-bomb.” Echoing Al-Hajj’s cautionary tone, a high-ranking representative from the international community said in a side session, “what we should never do is accept a peace process with an amnesty.” The fear of civil war and deterioration, which has driven Yemenis to accept flawed peace agreements in the past, has come back to haunt them, he said. Narrating his own experience in witnessing the Yemeni peace negotiations in 1994, along with failed efforts to address reconciliation or transitional justice, he pointed to the current situation as the price paid for failing to address difficult issues in the past. “The failure of the UN in 1994 is one of the factors why we are here now. The failure of the National Dialogue Conference is also the cause of what we see now,” he said, referring to what he called the “disastrous choice” of granting former president Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution, and maintaining the power of the old elite more broadly, under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative in 2012.

Despite a clear demand for justice, how this would take shape in the Yemeni context needs further consensus, agreed participants. However, the importance of strengthening victims’ unions , coordination amongst NGOs, and documentation efforts were seen as foundational steps in the path towards transitional justice. Documentation, not just as an investigative mechanism for criminal accountability, but also for the purposes of history and memorialization, was discussed passionately by attendees, with debates on whether formalizing its process and working towards a centralized database for human rights violations could potentially do more harm than good given the sensitivity of the material. One former detainee and victim of torture said that regardless of whether criminal accountability is sought, restoring the dignity of victims is paramount. Describing his own experience of being released from prison, and the inhumane way he was approached to give testimony of his detention, he estimated that half of such cases are poorly documented because many, like him, refuse to give evidence due to the inexperience of those in charge of documentation. He urged the CSOs and members of the international community present at the session to consider how to provide better guidance and support on documenting human rights violations in order to preserve and restore the dignity of victims.

Members of the international community were urged to create more fertile ground for transitional justice . Noting that language advocating for transitional justice is often absent from Security Council and other UN resolutions, an expert on transitional justice urged the international representatives present to take action. “You need to mention this [transitional justice] in your briefings. If you’re not putting it out there, you are making it difficult for progress,” she said, urging them to be bold and press on even if the appetite for it is not present internationally. Discussions on a transitional justice roadmap for the pursuit of Yemen culminated on the last day of the conference, where a draft joint declaration to advance justice and reconciliation in Yemen, developed collaboratively by more than 30 Yemeni CSOs and local and international experts, was announced at the concluding session and distributed to participants.

“We reject any political process that ignores our call for justice, or that seeks to compromise our demands in exchange for so-called political stability. Sustainable and lasting peace can only be achieved by welcoming reconciliation through justice.”

The Yemen Declaration for Justice and Reconciliation

The pursuit of justice is not an endeavor fueled by unrealistic hopes, but a fundamental principle that underpins stability and peace. This is the premise of the justice declaration draft presented at YIF 2023, collaboratively developed with input from over 30 Yemeni civil society organizations (CSOs). CSOs have emerged as crucial actors in the chaotic landscape of Yemen’s ongoing war, providing vital services, shedding light on human rights abuses, advocating for local causes, and holding officials accountable. Those pursuing activities beyond the humanitarian scope, such as organizing victims’ groups, documenting violations, and advocating for abductees, operate in a volatile and perilous environment, with little support from the outside and limited coordination with their peers. Coordinated efforts can facilitate the growth of local organizations and increase their impact on transitional justice initiatives.

The declaration aims to serve as a catalyst, harmonizing efforts and fostering collaboration to pave the way for transitional justice . It will provide a shared platform for articulating principles and demands across civil society, uniting Yemeni CSOs around a collective vision, while building momentum towards achieving transitional justice and establishing an ecosystem of cooperation and coordination that empowers CSOs to actively participate in peace talks. Following the YIF, the declaration was refined and launched on July 26, 2023, and subsequently endorsed by many Yemeni CSOs.

Security Sector Reform and Mediation

Building on extensive discussions on the process of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of fighters that took place at last year’s Forum, YIF 2023 sessions revisited the viability of disarming a population that is heavily armed and has a deep local tradition of bearing weapons. “We had a quasi-organized army and now we have armed groups that are not organized and not under anyone’s control,” said one expert attending the session on stabilization and security sector reforms, estimating the current number of fighters in Yemen at roughly 2 million, many of whom have resorted to joining armed groups to earn an income in light of Yemen’s dire economic situation. Traditional DDR processes, he added, are unfeasible in the Yemeni context, and will create a financial burden that will frustrate economic development, given that some regions in Yemen traditionally rely on security sector jobs.

The idea to decentralize the security sector to the governorate level, proposed during YIF I, was further discussed in an attempt to find “out-of-the-box” solutions to this dilemma. To deal with the huge numbers of fighters, at the least possible cost and in the least disruptive manner, experts discussed the possibility of establishing a civil defense reserve force in each governorate, with some participants expressing backing for the proposal and others viewing it as unfeasible and risky.

Top-down security sector reform, however, will not happen any time soon. In the absence of the state, civil society and communities in Yemen have stepped in to fill gaps in the oversight of the security forces, promoting the rule of law, limiting violations, and mediating conflicts. Countless examples of civil action by tribes and civil society were brought up by local mediators gathered at the YIF, ranging from initiatives that helped open blocked roads, reopen closed airports, mediate prisoner exchanges, sensitize the police force to human rights, release detainees, close down secret prisons, and establish codes of conduct for security forces in Taiz and Aden. Many of these initiatives were led by Yemeni women. “Yemenis, by nature, tend to be mediators,” said one participant in a session on scaling up local mediation practices, noting how traditions of mediation have played a key role in maintaining social cohesion and protecting civilians from the effects of war. Mediation, argued civil society actors, can be more effective, flexible, and adaptable than formal negotiation processes, since it does not require lengthy protocols and relies on traditional customs and norms. Ensuring a more direct line of coordination between mediators and the formal peace process led by the UN could help shift the focus toward building upon local models of resolving conflict. The Office of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY) in particular could play a positive role by building on the work and feedback of local mediators.

Gender-Based Violence and the Marginalization of Women

The marginalization of Yemeni women took center stage at this year’s YIF, in response to the worrying increase in violations of women’s rights since the war began. “The dignity of Yemeni women has been directly attacked,” said Wedad al-Badawi, a Yemeni TV presenter and a well-known media personality who spoke as part of a panel on missed opportunities to tackle women’s exclusion and multifaceted forms of gender-based violence.

She recounted her own challenges traveling to the conference from Sana’a, where the Houthi authorities now require a mahram (male guardian) for women to travel in territories under their control. Al-Badawi said she felt let down by the international community and appealed for support lest women’s silence be understood as complacency. “We have to appeal to them because the political parties don’t listen to us. But the reality is that they listen to the international community,” she said. Addressing disturbing trends such as the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) in Yemen public policy expert Sawsan al-Refai urged those present in the audience to ensure GBV is being adequately reported on and its prevention prioritized. Failing to do this, she added, will mean that “this issue is being erased from the collective memory of the international community.” Echoing Al-Refai and other panelists, Sherine El Traboulsi-McCarthy, Director of the National Center for Research in the UK, said, “We need a much more authentic understanding of the priorities and authenticity of the failures,” noting that despite clear shortcomings in the international community’s approach to aid in Yemen, there has been little change, with international programs maintaining “a very naive, linear approach,” lacking nuance and shorn of context, with an over-emphasis on capacity building.

In side sessions, the legacy of southern women and the feminist experience prior to unification was said to have been demeaned by southern political parties, which have few women among their ranks, mostly relegated to special desks for “women’s affairs.” “We are not living our best days,” said a human rights lawyer and southern activist, who accused political parties of “forgetting the history of southern women.” In another session on local mediation, one female community leader asked, “Who is starting the fire, and who is extinguishing it?”, noting that women have stood at the epicenter of social cohesion initiatives in their communities.

Climate Change and Building Resilience

In a session on water governance reform as a precursor to tackling the water crisis, various experts and representatives discussed Yemen’s severe water crisis and explored technical coordination in the sector. “If nothing is done to address the water crisis in Yemen, all other issues spoken about during the Forum are completely irrelevant,” said one international expert, noting that renewable water availability per capita in Yemen was 74 cubic meters per annum, which is “off the scale” in terms of scarcity. “Sixty years ago residents of Sana’a were drinking from surface water,” said an environmental expert on Yemen. “Now a well needs to be dug to a depth of 800-1000 meters to get water,” they added, referring to the overuse of deep-well irrigation in Yemen, which is decreasing the availability of water for poorer communities.

Agricultural experts said that much of the water used in agriculture, which accounts for 80 to 90 percent of total consumption, is wasted due to inefficient irrigation practices. The solution, argued one expert, would require a change in strategy in agricultural development and irrigation, a switch to rain-fed agriculture and improved rain-harvesting methods. Another participant stressed the need for new technologies and reliable studies that take into account the different irrigation methods suitable for the different regional crops. One participant noted that more studies are needed to understand the extent of groundwater depletion due to solar-powered pumps of various aquifers. Participants stressed that tackling the water crisis would require strengthening existing institutions and better coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water and Environment, as Yemen’s National Water Strategy has been defunct since the start of the conflict.

Yemen is ranked 22nd in a list of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and is the 14th least ready to adapt, said Jeehan Abdul Ghaffar, an independent development expert and advisor to the World Bank Group, speaking as part of a panel on climate change and its impact on livelihoods and economic recovery. Climate change is estimated to account for more than 10 percent of the population displacement that has taken place in Yemen since the conflict began. An increase in temperature, flash floods, tropical cyclones, desertification, and prolonged droughts are just some of the extreme weather events increasingly taking place in Yemen, said Anwar Noman, a representative from the Climate Change Unit at the Ministry of Water and Environment.

The conflict in Yemen, argued the panelists, is diverting resources away from the adaptation and mitigation efforts needed to confront the effects of climate change. These include the need for early warning systems, nationwide advocacy campaigns, rain-fed agriculture, and reducing deforestation, among other initiatives. The reconstruction of Yemen must entail building back better and greener, said Leoni Nimmo, Research Associate at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, adding that reconstruction funds need to have long-term environmental stability in mind. The relevant Yemeni institutions on the ground, however, are finding it difficult to access crucial global climate investment funds, which tend to be risk-averse and not easily accessible to conflict-affected states. The shift to humanitarian relief following the crisis, which has drastically reduced donor funds to climate change programs, also poses a challenge. “From 2010-2017,” said Noman, “Yemen got less than $2 per capita per year for climate adaptation measures.” Noting how countries in the region such as Morocco and Egypt have been more successful in accessing global climate funds, panelists stressed the need for Yemen to draw lessons from the experiences of other developing countries in the throes of climate change. To secure more financing, more data needs to come from inside Yemen, urged Nimmo.

Scenario Building to Help See Beyond the Current Deadlock

This year, the YIF incorporated elements of an internationally validated, innovative methodology known as the transformative scenario process (TSP). [2] TSP is gaining traction as a way of engaging with complexity and uncertainty, and involves diverse stakeholders engaging in dialogue about the future. [3] Participants are invited to hold back the impulse to advocate for a desired future, and instead explore how the future might unfold.

During the YIF, a series of workshops introduced TSP as an approach that can help diverse stakeholders plan for the future despite the uncertain and volatile context in Yemen. TSP can help lower the barrier for people with diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives to engage with one another, and forces the immediate focus away from the conflict and shorter-term considerations to longer-term trends and the broader context. It can help broaden the conversation to include people whose voices are often not heard in more traditional dialogue formats, and encourages participants to set aside wishful thinking, engage the imagination to explore new ways forward, and build trust.

Five scenario building sessions, involving over 100 participants, were conducted on the following themes: The Role of Women in Public Life; Stabilization and Security Structures; Justice and Reconciliation; The Political System and Civic Life; and The Economy . Central to each workshop was the discussion of various “driving forces” [4] that are likely to shape how each one of the five themes will unfold over time. YIF participants engaged in two exercises: an individual assessment of the relative impact and relative unpredictability of each driving force; [5] [6] and a group discussion identifying different possible outcomes for each particular driving force, telling a small story about each of these.

The emerging pattern from the participants’ assessment of the driving forces suggests that one of the driving forces with the highest impact is the supporting role that civil society and local communities could play in justice and reconciliation. Other factors with high impact and relatively low-level of unpredictability are identity-based conflict and security conditions and incitement against women in the public sphere. Participants in multiple scenario building workshops underlined the high impact of wealth-sharing and resource distribution to resolve political, economic, and security issues, indicating that it is a cross-cutting driver. Other driving forces that were assessed by the participants as relatively unpredictable include the weaponization of the economy, the continued influence of human rights violators on political decision-making, conflict dynamics and the role of armed groups, the power balance between domestic actors, and the role of civil society in shaping the political process and the security sector. Their characterization as unpredictable indicates that these driving forces may go in unexpected directions and could be influenced, either positively or negatively.

The Way Forward: Three Messages from YIF 2023

• Peace Must Be Inclusive

YIF 2023 delivered a strong message, cautioning that no single group in Yemen can claim broad, national representation. This message is particularly poignant, given ongoing political developments in the country. Recent Houthi-Saudi negotiations represent a significant breakthrough, and an opportunity to push forward a national cease-fire, but any settlement that emerges will reflect the interests of the powerful, excluding the vast majority of Yemenis, and thereby court failure. The “big tent” approach adopted by the YIF, a methodology not unlike the National Dialogue Conference, secured broader participation and engagement of key political actors this year, encouraging trust-building between parties while providing an influential platform for marginalized actors to articulate their visions of peace. These actors include women, half of Yemen’s population, who are being sidelined and shunted into the private sphere; political parties, whose historical legitimacy can act as a bridge between various sub-groups; southern stakeholders , whose demands for self-determination will prove critical to a sustainable peace process; civil society organizations, tribes, and local mediators, who, in the absence of a functioning state, have taken charge of delivering humanitarian relief and maintaining the social cohesion of communities; minorities, who have been brutally persecuted by the warring factions; and last, but not least, youth , Yemen’s greatest asset and the generation who will ultimately become responsible for rebuilding the country.

• Peace Must Be Just

In a blow to thousands of victims, on October 8, 2021, the UN Human Rights Council rejected a resolution to renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts assigned to investigate war crimes in Yemen. The YIF delivered a bold message that peace in Yemen cannot come without addressing justice and accountability, and that for the first time in the country’s history, the grievances of the countless victims of war must be addressed. “Do we want a generation that keeps repeating the same mistakes, or aim for a new way of thinking?” asked a victim attending the Forum. Without redress for victims, trust in the rule of law and governance and the relationship between the state and people in Yemen will ultimately remain broken , as proven by previous settlements in the region that bypassed accountability (such as the 1989 Taif Agreement, which helped end Lebanon’s civil war). Those present at the justice sessions agreed, however, that the road towards achieving justice won’t be easy. To start with, a common understanding of what justice means for Yemenis still needs to be reached. The intense discussions that took place at the YIF this year, however, represent an important step towards the normalization of transitional justice discourse on Yemen, and in so doing, break the deafening silence surrounding it in international forums. The importance of documenting violations, and supporting victims’ unions, were among the most important outcomes of this year’s discussions on transitional justice, which culminated with a presentation of a justice declaration eventually endorsed by more than 30 Yemeni civil society organizations, endorsing the fight to advance justice and reconciliation in Yemen. This declaration forms part of a wider roadmap for transitional justice currently being worked on by civil society organizations, with the facilitation of the YIF team.

• Peace Must Be Sustainable

Nine years of war have demonstrated that Yemenis cannot wait for a political settlement to start rebuilding their country. For durable peace to be achieved, there are fundamental priorities that must be addressed immediately. Demands for an economic truce – for warring parties to cease escalatory economic measures and countermeasures – were on every participant’s lips, and were universally supported. As the warring parties inch closer toward potential political settlements, the outstanding points of contention are predominantly economic. On the ground, as households struggle with the dire economic impact of the war, experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the sustainability of an economy built almost entirely on humanitarian aid. A group of economic experts will begin studying how to transition to economic recovery and longer-term development, ways to save the banking sector, and how to better coordinate with the private sector, as they push the OSESGY to ensure the economic situation is given the necessary attention. In parallel, the YIF highlighted how the impact of climate change is part and parcel of economic sustainability , underlining the importance of designing a recovery process from an environmental perspective that takes into account Yemen’s depleting water resources and the increase of extreme weather events.

Building on conversations that took place last year, the need to create multiple deterrents to the excesses of armed groups in Yemen was a central theme discussed at this year’s YIF. Experts who participated in the YIF in Stockholm in 2022 and in The Hague this year focused on practical and ‘out of the box’ solutions to integrate fighters in civil and military sectors , and provide them with economic incentives to steer away from militias. Some articulated a vision for a decentralized security sector that offers a reasonable level of balance among armed groups, local authorities, and the central government. Such a balance, if supported by international and regional actors, could set the foundation for a durable and sustainable peace.

Distinguished International Attendees

• H.E. Hatem Abdul Qader, Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands
• H.E. Hafeez Mohammed Salem Al-Ajmi, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Netherlands
• Rawan Salim Al-Busaidi, First Secretary to the Omani Ambassador to the Netherlands
• H.E. Falah Al-Hajraf, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Yemen
• H.E. Abdullah Salim Al-Harthi, Omani Ambassador to the Netherlands
• H.E. Sarhan Al-Minaikher, Saudi diplomat and Gulf Cooperation Council Ambassador to Yemen
• H.E. Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart, Swiss Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa
• Peter Dalby, Acting Deputy Head of Mission for the UK Embassy to Yemen
• Renaud Detalle, Representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Yemen
• Cosmin Dobran, Director of Peace, Partnerships, and Crisis Management at the European External Action Service (EEAS)
• H.E. Peter Derrek Hof, Dutch Ambassador to Yemen
• H. E. Hubert Jäger, German Ambassador to Yemen
• Kris Kvols, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy to Yemen
• H.E. David Gressly, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen
• H.E. Hans Grundberg, UN Special Envoy for Yemen
• H.E. Paul Huijts, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Guusje Korthals Altes, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Tania Meyer, Country Manager for Yemen at the World Bank
• H.E. Gabriel Munuera-Viñals, European Union Ambassador to Yemen
• Andrea Niklaus, Political Affairs Counsellor for the Canadian Embassy to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and Bahrain
• Anna-Maria Panagiotakopoulou, Head of Division for the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq, European External Action Service
• H.E. Jean-Marie Safa, French Ambassador to Yemen
• H.E. Peter Semneby, Swedish Special Envoy to Yemen
• Muin Sherim, Deputy Head of Mission for the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen
• Andrea Slørdahl, Political Secretary at the Norwegian Embassy to Saudi Arabia
• H.E. Nawaf Tell, Advisor to His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan
• H.E. Jan van Zanen, Mayor of the Hague
• H.E. Shao Zheng, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen

Plenary Speakers

• Jeehan Abdul Ghaffar, Senior Advisor to the Executive Director representing MENA and South Asia at the World Bank Group
• Rafat Al-Akhali, Fellow of Practice – Strategic Projects at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University
• Wedad Al-Badawi, President of Culture Media Center, TV presenter, and journalist
• Bassem Al-Hajj, First Secretary of the Yemeni Socialist Party
• Afraa Al-Hariri, Human rights lawyer, Southern Hirak activist, and Regional Director of the Peace Track Initiative
• Ali Al-Hebshi, CEO and member of the private sector
• Linda Al-Obahi, Advisor on Yemeni Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Senior Mediation and Liaison Officer at the Peace Track Initiative
• Nader Al-Sakkaf, Representative of the Baha’is in Yemen
• Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, Director of the Abductees’ Mothers Association
• Mohammed Al-Shuwaiter, Co-founder and Executive Director of Qānūn and legal expert
• Sawsan Al-Refaie, Development consultant and expert in equity, public policy, and advocacy
• Kristine Beckerle, Clinical Lecturer at Yale Law School
• Sherine El Taraboulsi-McCarthy, Director of NatCen International
• Rana Ghanem, Assistant Secretary-General for the Nasserist Unionist People’s Organization
• Guusje Korthals, Deputy Director for North Africa and Middle East, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Alexander Mayer-Rieckh, Expert at the Facility on Justice in Conflict and Transition
• Leonie Nimmo, Project Coordinator and Research Associate at the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBs)
• Anwar Noman, Advisor at the Climate Change Unit at the Ministry of Water and Environment
• Mahmood Qaiyah, Project Manager at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
• Anika Seggel, Climate Finance Expert at the Food and Agriculture Organization
• Samah Subay, Lawyer and human rights activist
• Abdulwahab Al-Kebsi, Managing Director for Programs at the Center for International Private Enterprise
• Ghadeer Al-Maqhafi, Corporate governance expert and former acting Executive Director of the Yemen Business Club
• Safaa Al-Watari, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Your ECHO
• Khaldoon Bakhail, Senior Yemen Adviser and Country Coordinator at DCAF
• Dalia Barsoum, Head of Yemen Unit at the Berghof Foundation
• Mille Bojer, Director at Reos Partners
• Dina El Mamoun, Yemen Country Director at the Center for Civilians In Conflict (CIVIC)
• Elobaid Ahmed Elobaid, Senior Advisor with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and former Yemen representative
• Marie-Christine Heinze, President of the Center for Applied Research in the Orient (CARPO)
• H.E. Peter-Derrek Hof, Dutch Ambassador to Yemen
• Nadim Houry, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative
• Yassir Khudayri, Senior Program Officer at Open Society Foundations
• Michelle Koo, Water Governance Department at the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education
• Marta Mendes, Independent consultant and researcher on transitional justice
• Kate Nevens, Facilitator and consultant at the Yemen Policy Center
• Saba Nowzari, Senior Desk Officer at the Folke Bernadotte Academy
• Michelle Parlevliet, Senior Associate at Reos Partners
• Thanos Petouris, Regional Adviser at the European Institute of Peace
• Yasar Qatarneh, Consultant with CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation
• Ethar Shaibany, General Coordinator at CivTrack Initiative
• Ewa Strzelecka, Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• Barbro Svedberg, Senior Advisor at Folke Bernadotte Academy
• Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House

YIF Collaborators

• Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
• Berghof Foundation
• Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
• CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation
• Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBs)
• DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
• Development Champions
• European Institute of Peace (EIP)
• Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA)
• IHE-Delft Institute
• Open Society Foundations (OSF)
• Reos Partners
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Yemen International Forum 2023 was organized by the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with additional funding support from the European Union, the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, Open Society Foundations, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy.

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies is an independent think tank that seeks to foster change through knowledge production with a focus on Yemen and the surrounding region.

Views expressed within this report should not be construed as representing the Sana’a Center, donors, or partners.

• The conference was attended by 249 participants, approximately 64 percent of which were Yemeni. Almost half of the Yemeni participants traveled from Yemen, and the rest arrived from different countries around the world. Women constituted 38 percent of YIF attendees.
• The TSP approach was originally born out of a process in South Africa called the Mont Fleur scenarios, which took place between 1991-1992, at a time of significant uncertainty and turmoil after apartheid had officially ended and before the first democratic elections.
• Mille Bøjer, “Transformative Scenarios Process: How stories of the future help to transform conflict in the present,” Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation, Online Edition, Berlin: Berghof Foundation, 2018, https://berghof-foundation.org/library/transformative-scenarios-process-how-stories-of-the-future-help-to-transform-conflict-in-the-present
• Drivers were developed by the YIF team based on pre-YIF II consultations.
• ‘Impact’ refers to the negative or positive effect on the specific thematic topic and its overall relation to achieving an inclusive, just, and sustainable peace. ‘Unpredictability’ indicates a high level of uncertainty on the future trajectory of the given driving force.
• The below graphic is a visual aid to help reflect the assessments of the participants and discussions held in the various scenario building sessions. It should not be taken as an exact assessment of impact and unpredictability nor as a comprehensive list of driving forces within each theme.

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South Korea takes top spot in Philippine tourist arrivals! See who else made the list

Travel & tourism.

Visitor arrivals jump 21.27% in Q1 2024, as tourism agency ramps up campaign

Manila: Tourism has made a huge comeback in the Philippines with 1.7 million arrivals in the first three months of 2024, official data revealed.

The 21.3-per cent rise in arrival numbers in the first quarter this year – from 1.29 million in the same period in 2023 – could help the country hit targets enough to match pre-pandemic levels before 2024 is out.

The Department of Tourism is ramping up its tourism campaign with the global travel trade, covering more cities around the world, including the Middle East, alongside a whole-of-nation drive to boost Halal tourism .

Top 5, by country of residence

In terms of country of origin, South Korean tourists topped the list of arrivals with 458,619, or 27.59 per cent of the total, up from 26.02 per cent in the same period last year.

The US came second with 264,690 tourist arrivals, equivalent to a 15.92 per cent share of total arrivals – and 4.36 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2023.

• Filipino billionaire leads win in $3bn bid to upgrade Manila airport
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On the third spot is China, with 109,568, accounting for 6.59 per cent of tourist arrivals and 149.9 per cent jump from 43,833 in the first quarter of 2023.

Japan took the fourth spot with 109,347 arrivals from January to March 2024, or 6.34 per cent of total arrivals during the period, a 63.21 per cent increase from the first quarter of 2023 with 64,547.

Australia took the fifth spot with 67,634 arrivals, or 4.07 per cent of the total. This, however, represented a 3.75 per cent drop from 70,266 in the first quarter of 2023.

Affordable, diverse

The Philippines, known for its affordability and diverse offerings, anticipates a surge in regional arrivals due to its proximity and robust transport connections.

Fitch Solutions unit BMI forecasts a return to pre-pandemic foreign visitor levels, estimating arrivals to reach 8.21 million by the end of 2024. The Department of Tourism is aiming for a more modest target of 7.7 million tourist arrivals this year.

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed over 5.45 million foreign visitors, surpassing BMI's projection of 4.9 million for 2023 and DOT's own target.

The tourism sector's complete recovery is expected to get an added boost from a rise in arrivals from key markets in Asia, Europe, and the US and Canada. 

• From Bangkok in Thailand, to Bali in Indonesia, to Boracay in the Philippines on a single visa? Unified ASEAN visa similar to Schengen in the works
• Indian firm fines employees $1,200 if they disturb colleagues on vacation

Nationals of 157 foreign countries are-visa free for 14 days, 30 days, or 59 days. Of the more than 200 countries and territories, 39 need visa to enter the Philippines.

In general, foreign nationals wishing to visit the Philippines require a visa – unless s/he is a citizen or of a member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), or s/he is a citizen of a non-ASEAN member whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free, or s/he is a “balikbayan” returning to the Philippines temporarily.

Entry guidelines 

Nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the country by obtaining a visa on arrival for staying not exceeding 30 days, provided they hold the tickets for the return journey to port of origin or next part of destination.

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How to travel to Yemen in 2023

Yemen is a country which has been taken from a fairy tale, a destination that keeps awing each and every visitor who gets captivated by the mesmerising architecture that dot the unexpectedly radiant and fertile valleys that compose the country.

Local men strolling the streets with their colorful jabiya – traditional dagger – are the cheery on top that make Yemen such a unique country, because there’s nothing like Yemen, and not only in terms of sights but years of isolation have made Yemen an incredibly raw country where travelers can still experience Yemeni rural life as it used to be centuries ago.

Traditionally grouped in tribes with strong codes of conduct that tend to prevail over the country’s law, their rules dictate that one must protect their guest, with their own life if needed, and treat them like one more member of their family.

The result is a particularly warm and welcoming society whose main aim is always veiling for your safety and feed you with the best honey and Yemeni food.

Yemen is certainly one of the most legendary countries in the world.

In this travel guide to Yemen you will find the latest, updated info on how to travel to Yemen, including safety, how to get a visa and more.

In this Yemen travel guide, you will find:

Covid-19 restrictions for traveling to yemen, travel insurance for yemen with covid-19 coverage, there are 2 yemens, north and south.

Before visiting Yemen, you should know that the country is divided into two separate, big regions: Yemen Arab Republic, also known as North Yemen People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as South Yemen

By the way, the capital Sanaa is in North Yemen.

In the 19th century, North Yemen was under Ottoman rule, while Britain was controlling South.

When the Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1918, North Yemen became an independent state, but the British kept ruling over South Yemen until 1967.

After the British withdrawal in 1967, North and South Yemen were two separate UN countries until they unified in 1991, becoming the Yemen Arab Republic.

North Yemen is where most issues are happening

As a traveler, you need to be aware that, despite the unification, this division is still part of every day Yemen, both politically and culturally.

First of all, all the bad things you hear about Yemen, like famine and aerial bombings – the world’s worst humanitarian crisis according to some sources – are mostly happening in North Yemen, a region today controlled by the Houthies, a militia that belongs to a branch of Shia Islam who wants to take control of the country.

Saudi Arabia is trying to get rid of them.

South Yemen is mostly pro-Saudi, but it’s pretty messy too.

South Yemen on the other hand, is controlled by the Yemeni Government, which is extremely pro-Saudi. However, the members of the Government are not living there anymore, but they are all exiled in Saudi Arabia, leaving the country mostly under the control of the Yemeni Army. It’s quite a mess.

To make things even more complicated, part of South Yemen is controlled by the STC (Southern Transitional Council), a separatist group who wishes South Yemen to become an independent country.

They are supported by the United Arab Emirates, who fight against Saudi over power, believe it or not.

As a foreign traveler, North Yemen is today off limits. More on that in the following section.

Which region of Yemen mainland can you visit?

Can you visit north yemen.

Today, North Yemen – and that includes the capital Sanaa – is practically impossible to visit.

The area is not under the jurisdiction of the Yemeni Government, hence getting the necessary security clearances and permits for going through all the checkpoints is difficult.

Difficult, not impossible, but even with all the necessary permits, there is a high chance of getting arrested, like it happened to a friend of mine who spent one week traveling in North Yemen, until the Houthies decided to lock him up for a week, giving him a very hard time.

You might bump into a fixer who sells you the yummy, irresistible idea of traveling all the way to Sanaa but in my opinion, this is still a bit sketchy, and my recommendation would be to wait until things calm down a bit more.

I’ll be updating this post as soon as I figure out more about visiting Sanaa.

From the western city of Aden all the way to the border with Oman, South Yemen comprises around two thirds of the country, but the only place you can visit is a region named Hadramut, the only stable region in the country.

That’s where I traveled to.

Hadramut is a beautiful, mostly rural region home to jaw-dropping valleys and postcard-like mud-villages often dominated by hypnotic palaces once owned by the local sultans.

Shibam, a city entirely built of 9-story mud-made buildings in the middle of the desert, is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and by far, the highlight of Yemen.

Hadramut by itself is certainly worth the trip to mainland Yemen.

Can you visit Socotra?

Socotra is a remote Yemeni island, which has a peculiarly unique geology and flora, as well as home to a Yemeni society with significant cultural differences due to their isolation from Yemen mainland.

For many years, Socotra has been sort of a hotspot for intrepid travelers looking for some real off the beaten path adventures. The island is used to receive visitors, so you can find some relatively developed tourism infrastructure ran by a few local tour operators.

Top experiences in Yemen

Visiting the mud-made towns like shibam.

And I specify towns because this isn’t like the tiny mud village you may find in Mali or Sudan but they are actual towns built in the past as caravan cities.

Shopping in a khat market

In addition to sparing one day for chewing khat, visiting one of the many khat markets with tens of stalls selling all sorts of types and quality of khat is a real highlight.

Meeting Yemeni people

With their daggers, traditional clothes, smiles and hospitality, meeting Yemenis are an essential part of any trip to Yemen.

Trekking around Wadi Doa’n

This canyon-shaped valley offers plenty of trekking opportunities through unspoiled villages and spectacular views.

Is it safe to travel to Yemen?

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Yemen, including both Yemen mainland and Socotra.

I have done safety analysis for several countries – only from a tourist perspective – and my answer to the FCDO advice is always the same: their analysis are extremely biased and based on extremely unlikely scenarios, since they want nothing to do with travelers venturing in those areas if the extremely unlikely happened.

The situation in Hadramut is arguable, yes, but Socotra is an isolated paradise that always stayed at the edge of the conflict, the reason why it keeps receiving thousands of tourists every year.

My personal perspective on safety in Yemen

You already learnt that when talking about Yemen, one must be able to differentiate between North Yemen and South Yemen, the first being the apparent dangerous part of the country.

However, I haven’t been in North Yemen, so I can’t really verify whether that region is safe or not.

Actually, nobody does, since you can’t really travel there nowadays.

Similarly, South Yemen is pretty big, but the only place which can be visited is Hadramut, so this section will mainly focus on safety in Hadramut.

Is it safe to travel to Hadramut?

This is a difficult question to answer.

When I was traveling around Hadramut, everything felt very safe indeed, and it shouldn’t be a coincidence that Hadramut is the only area in Yemen which foreigners are allowed to visit.

Hadramut Insurgency

Nonetheless, we can’t obvious the fact that from 2016 to 2018, Hadramut had a large presence of Al-Qaeda an ISIS, terrorist groups that were even controlling the regional capital: Mukalla.

For nearly two years, suicide bombings and actual fighting happened nearly every day.

The situation, however, has drastically improved, since the area has been cleared up from terrorists, hence they decided to open it for international tourists.

Still, one must travel to Hadramut with extra caution but at the end of the day, you will certainly do that because:

It’s difficult to say whether Hadramut is safe or not: your trip to Yemen will be rather short, you will always be with armed escorts and an expert fixer who knows where to go and how to deal with complicated situations.

Would it be safe if you traveled to Yemen as an independent backpacker?

We don’t know because nobody has done it so.

How to get a visa for Yemen

A visa is strictly required for traveling to Yemen.

Good news is that all nationalities can apply for a tourist visa, an easy, straightforward process – as long as you can afford it.

Bad news is that you can only get it through a local fixer, with whom you must book a full tour – like in Syria – and it’s usually pretty expensive.

Typically, the visa takes around 1 full month to process, but this is Yemen, and it’s recommended to get in touch with your local fixer/tour operator way before that.

Everything can be arranged on WhatsApp, and all you need to do is sending a copy of your passport, a passport photo and a filled out form.

In addition to the Yemeni visa, your local tour operator/fixer will also apply for a security clearance, something needed for going through all checkpoints.

Your fixer should send you your visa via email and all you’d have to do is printing it out and collect your stamp upon arrival in Yemen.

Travel insurance for Yemen

Best time to visit yemen.

Like in other Gulf countries, such as Oman or Saudi Arabia, you should avoid traveling in Yemen during the summer months.

I did visit Yemen in the month of November. Days were warm but rarely over 30ºC and evenings were pleasant.

Useful books for traveling in Yemen

Yemen travel guide by lonely planet.

Tribes and Politics in Yemen: A History of the Houthi Conflict

Independent travel in Yemen mainland

Can you travel in Yemen mainland independently?

Unfortunately not.

Today, independent travel in Yemen is strictly forbidden, including within Hadramut.

My fixer in Yemen told me the story of a Japanese traveler who tried to escape while having an after lunch break at the hotel, time which the tourist took advantage to buy or rent a motorbike.

He was detained at the first checkpoint and wasn’t allowed to leave until the fixer showed up.

Moreover, traveling in Yemen is so restricted that you can’t even change your itinerary once permits have been issued because those permits must specify the dates you will be in each area of Yemen.

How to get to Yemen

How to travel to yemen by air.

Today, the only feasible way to travel to Yemen mainland by air is with Yemenia Airways via Cairo to a city named Seiyun.

There are 3 to 4 flights a week and tickets must be purchased via a tour agent based in Cairo, the contact of which should be shared by your Yemeni tour operator.

In my case, I reached out the mentioned tour agent on WhatsApp, who told me to wire her the total cost of the flight ticket to an Egyptian bank account.

The round-trip ticket from Cairo to Seiyun cost 870USD.

After a week, she acknowledged receipt of the money and sent me a copy of my flight ticket, also on WhatsApp.

It was a strange but a pretty simple and legit process.

How to travel to Yemen by land

Yemen shares a border with Oman and Saudi Arabia.

How to travel to Yemen from Oman

The border is fully open because the region of Salalah in Oman leads directly to Hadramut.

Nevertheless, my fixer stopped picking up travelers from the Omani border because as of today, the scenic coastal road that leads to Mukallah is controlled by the STC, therefore it remains closed to foreigners.

Alternatively, you can use the northern road, but that involves driving over 600km (one-way) through an empty desert, and that’s something he doesn’t really want to do anymore, especially because he would have to come all the way from Seiyun and back, a 1200km journey.

How to travel from Saudi to Yemen

With proper clearance, you can use the Al Wadeeah border.

I know a few people who have crossed into Saudi from Yemen using that border, but I don’t know anyone who has actually entered Yemen from there.

Travel reports on that matter are welcome.

The country, people and culture

Yemen is actual Arabia, the place where is believed the Arabs come from, and the birthplace of the Sabaeans, a group of Ancient South Arabians who found Sheba, home to worldwide famous Queen of Shebba, all stories that appear in the Quran and the Hebrew Bible.

In terms of GDP per capita, Yemen is within the 20 poorest countries in the world and along with Afghanistan and North Korea, the only non-African country that makes it to the list.

Despite its location, Yemen is the only country in the peninsula that doesn’t belong to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council countries) an agreement between the Gulf States – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – similar to the EU.

Culture in Yemen

Yemenis are purely Arabs but from a traveling perspective, sometimes I feel they do have a slight South Asian (Pakistani) twist, in the way they eat and behave, different from the rest of Gulf States.

This shouldn’t be surprising, however, since the coast of Yemen has been benefited from the frankincense trade for centuries, receiving visitors from many parts of the world, specially from South Asia.

Tribal laws in Yemen

They are grouped in tribes and similarly to Pashtuns in Afghanistan, their tribal laws dictate their daily life.

Like Pashtuns, Yemenis treat their guests even better than a family member but at the same time, they are really, really conservative and their acts might be subjected to certain rules that may create absolute rejection to international visitors.

For example, without wanting you to fall in a Yemeni stereotype, a woman having extra marital relations could be one of the most dishonourable things that could happen to a family.

In the city of Seiyun, an unmarried woman was caught in the house hanging out with a stranger man. They weren’t caught having sex, but they were just sitting together. After doing their own research and investigation, the family decided to murder her by cutting their head off.

Such is the strength and importance of their tribal laws that in these cases, the police decides not to intervene.

By the way, this was an extreme case carried out by an uneducated family. Most Yemenis condemned such an act.

In Yemen, they speak Modern Standard Arabic.

Religion in Yemen

Islam is the state religion, 35% of the population being Shia and 75% Sunni.

Women in Yemen

Yemen is the most conservative country I have ever been to, even more than Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, you need to remember that I only visited the region of Hadramut, a rural and remote area of Yemen, where people are probably more traditional than in the capital Sanaa.

Still, I was particularly shocked by some of the things I experienced.

100% of the women wear niqab

Except for one beggar, we never saw the face of a woman, but all of them were wearing the niqab, which covers everything but the eyes.

You are not allowed to talk to women, not even looking at them

The only female interaction we had was the day we got hissed by a local woman while we were sitting in the car.

All we did was smiling at her, but she reacted with hissing at us.

She basically told you to fuck off – our fixer said.

Saudi women are surprisingly liberal compared to Yemeni

One day, while walking around a village, we heard some young women talking and laughing, something we had not witnessed in that country yet.

They are very liberal – our fixer said. And the reason was that those young girls had been born in Saudi and they came to Yemen to visit their family.

While Saudi women might seem extremely conservative, you are likely to talk with them when you are traveling in Saudi. A Saudi woman with niqab asking for a selfie isn’t rare, plus they work in many supermarkets and shops.

Yemeni food and cuisine

Yemeni food is heavy and mostly meat and rice-based but I believe they offer the best food in the peninsula.

In fact, Yemeni mandi is one of the most common dishes in Oman, UAE and Saudi.

Yemeni restaurants don’t usually to have tables but people gather on a circle on the floor and eat with their hands from the same plate.

Why is Yemeni honey so famous?

For a long time, Yemen is believed to produce some of the best and purest honey in the world, coming from bees that are exclusive fed from flowers of the Sidr tree, which also has therapeutic properties.

Honey plays a big role in Yemen’s economy and according the the UN, more than 100,000 households depend on it for their livelihoods.

Is there alcohol in Yemen?

Yemen is a dry country, you can’t buy alcohol legally.

How to travel in Yemen as a solo female traveler

Yemen might possibly be the most challenging country in the world to travel as a female traveler, way more difficult than in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, foreign women don’t need to wear the burqa, but a hijab is enough, like in Iran.

However, in the region of Hadramut, foreign women must wear the niqab in all public spaces, markets and pretty much everywhere, but in the hotel and in the wild.

You may remove your niqab when you are in the car, but not when going through villages and checkpoints.

Is it safe to travel in Yemen as a female traveler?

As long as you are accompanied by men, traveling in Yemen as a woman is safe.

If you removed your niqab, you’d get a lot of attention but if you are wearing it, nobody will dare to tell you a thing.

Money and prices

In Yemen, they use Yemeni Rials (YRI) and approximately:

This is the official currency.

Since recently, in South Yemen, they used a different, unofficial currency also named Yemeni Rials, but with a different value.

With South Yemen Rials,

I never understood why South Yemen adopted a different currency and how was the value defined but in any case, if traveling to Hadramut, that’s the only currency you will see.

Your debit or credit card will be useless in Yemen, so do bring everything in cash.

The only currency which I recommend to bring is US dollars. They didn’t even want to exchange my Euros, at an acceptable rate at least.

Your US dollars should be brand-new, they are very strict with this.

They actually found a tiny wink stain in one of my bills and they didn’t accept it, even though I received a bunch of dirty Yemeni Rials in exchange.

How much does it cost to travel in Yemen?

A tour to Yemen booked through a local fixer is always all-inclusive, so it’s difficult for me to say what are the actual prices of the most typical things, including hotels and restaurants.

What I can tell you however is that a solo trip to Yemen is expensive, with prices starting at $4500 for a solo 6-day tour, excluding international flights.

If you want to travel to Yemen for cheaper, I recommend joining a group.

Transportation: how to move around Yemen

It will be difficult for me to write this section since I only moved around in a private car, and you are certainly going to do the same.

Where to stay in Yemen

I stayed in two different hotels:

Hawta Palace Hotel: a traditional boutique hotel in the city of Seiyun. It has a pleasant garden where many local families hang out in the weekends by paying a fee.

Hayd Aljazeel Resort: a mountain resort in Wadi Doa’n with awesome views to the valley.

Both were pretty amazing and I believe the two best options in the area. Other than that, I don’t recall seeing many hotels besides basic ones.

Internet in Yemen

Can you buy a SIM card in Yemen?

You can, but in the region of Hadramut, 4G barely works.

We did have some decent Wi-Fi in the hotel in Seiyun but that’s all what we got during our trip.

Get a VPN for traveling in Yemen

More information, travel guides to other countries in the middle east.

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East.

----------------------------- By: Joan Torres Title: How to travel to Yemen in 2023 Sourced From: againstthecompass.com/en/yemen-travel/ Published Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:24:57 +0000

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MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, and is a type of tourism in which large groups, usually plan things well in advance.

The event took place on April 19 in Delhi and brought together over 100 participants from MICE agencies of both countries, corporate customers, representatives of the travel industry in Moscow, Aeroflot and the Indian branches of Sberbank.

Business tourism is one of the most promising directions for Moscow.

In 2023, the capital was visited by 3.7 million business tourists - 7 per cent more than in 2022. And India remains one of the leaders among visitors from non-CIS countries in terms of the number of business travellers.

"The Russian capital as a centre of business tourism and corporate events is already an established and a strong brand in the international arena," commented Anastasia Popova, Deputy General Director for International and Industry Cooperation of Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Moscow.

"Now our task is to demonstrate to our Indian partners all the possibilities of organizing high-value MICE events in Moscow in combination with already proven tourist programs," said Popova.

At the Shaping MICE Future Conference, industry experts from Russia and India pronounced statements and speeches on the future of MICE events in these two countries, a presentation of the MICE potential of Moscow was showcased, and an analytical report on the state of the outbound MICE market in India was presented to the visitors.

During the panel discussion, participants assessed the current status and interaction peculiarities with the MICE market in India and developed recommendations for the MICE industry in Moscow during the general brainstorming session.

Representatives of the Indian MICE industry participated in B2B negotiations to find new cross-partners in the Moscow business environment and among representatives of the hospitality industry.

Representatives of the MICE industry took part in the event from Moscow.

Among them were DMC (Grand Rus, Academservice, Headed Goose, Satguru Travel, Isba Rus, Hug the Bear, Mellenium Group) as well as representatives of other partners interested in the development of MICE cooperation between Russia and India: Global transfers provider i'way and hotels Edge Seligerskaya and Edge Vinogradovo Moscow by Rotana.

"In 2024, we have witnessed a significant surge (more than quadruple) in the demand for transfers by Russians visiting India, both for business and leisure purposes. Muscovites are leading the trend, with 80 per cent of transfer bookings originating from the capital since the beginning of the year. Additionally, we observe a growing interest from Indian tourism agencies in exploring Russia, resulting in a substantial increase in our collaboration," commented Dmitriy Saraykin, co-founder of Global Transfer Provider i'way.

The Shaping MICE Future conference allowed the Moscow City Tourism Committee to form a pool of MICE industry representatives in Moscow to prioritize incoming requests for events and clarify India's requirements for business and corporate events to build mutually effective work. Indian colleagues received up-to-date information about Moscow as a safe and attractive MICE destination and were able to find potential partners among representatives of the MICE industry of the Russian capital and were able to present the MICE market in India.

"The event served as a remarkable platform for fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the tourism industry. The event provided us with invaluable opportunities to engage with key stakeholders from the tourism department, as well as tour operators and service providers. The insights gained during the event underscored the Moscow City Tourism Committee's keen interest in the Indian outbound market, and we are optimistic about the promising prospects for Moscow as a destination, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. We firmly believe that with concerted efforts and strategic initiatives, Moscow has the potential to emerge as a top-choice destination for Indian tourists," said Mudit Mathur, director of Tours Delite India, representing Academ Service - Russia in India.

The conference also assessed the solutions to foreign demand for non-standard venues and elements in MICE programs, such as museums, parks, theaters and others. Holding MICE events at offbeat locations, such as the State Historical Museum, the Moscow Planetarium and Khudozhestvenny Cinema, is becoming popular.

This helps to attract conference organizers and creates a unique experience for the participants. Working in this format, many visitors who come to Moscow on a business trip want to return with their families and spend time as regular tourists. (ANI)

Tourism Web Portal

About the portal.

A technological tool for effective communication between the leading players in the Moscow tourism market and representatives of the foreign/regional tourism industry through online events. OBJECTIVES: • Building long-term cooperation with foreign/regional representatives • Raising awareness among foreign/regional representatives of the tourism industry of the tourism opportunities, measures and attractiveness of the city of Moscow in the field of tourist infrastructure development

Moscow City Tourism Committee

The Tourism Committee, or Mostourism, is the executive body of the Moscow City Government that oversees tourist activities in the capital. The Committee is responsible for legislative initiatives, congress and exhibition activities, and event and image projects. As the brand manager for an attractive tourism image for Moscow, Mostourism constantly analyses global trends, offers Russian and foreign tourists what they want, and also uncovers new opportunities for the capital in terms of interesting and rewarding leisure activities.

ANO «Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality of Moscow»

Syundyukova Yulia [email protected] Mezhiev Magomed [email protected]

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New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): Recognising market demand, the Moscow City Tourism Committee organized a conference for representatives of the Indian MICE industry, to introduce them to the tourism strengths of the Russian capital.

MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, and is a type of tourism in which large groups, usually plan things well in advance.

The event took place on April 19 in Delhi and brought together over 100 participants from MICE agencies of both countries, corporate customers, representatives of the travel industry in Moscow, Aeroflot and the Indian branches of Sberbank.

Business tourism is one of the most promising directions for Moscow.

In 2023, the capital was visited by 3.7 million business tourists – 7 per cent more than in 2022. And India remains one of the leaders among visitors from non-CIS countries in terms of the number of business travellers.

“The Russian capital as a centre of business tourism and corporate events is already an established and a strong brand in the international arena,” commented Anastasia Popova, Deputy General Director for International and Industry Cooperation of Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Moscow.

“Now our task is to demonstrate to our Indian partners all the possibilities of organizing high-value MICE events in Moscow in combination with already proven tourist programs,” said Popova.

At the Shaping MICE Future Conference, industry experts from Russia and India pronounced statements and speeches on the future of MICE events in these two countries, a presentation of the MICE potential of Moscow was showcased, and an analytical report on the state of the outbound MICE market in India was presented to the visitors.

During the panel discussion, participants assessed the current status and interaction peculiarities with the MICE market in India and developed recommendations for the MICE industry in Moscow during the general brainstorming session.

Representatives of the Indian MICE industry participated in B2B negotiations to find new cross-partners in the Moscow business environment and among representatives of the hospitality industry.

Representatives of the MICE industry took part in the event from Moscow.

Among them were DMC (Grand Rus, Academservice, Headed Goose, Satguru Travel, Isba Rus, Hug the Bear, Mellenium Group) as well as representatives of other partners interested in the development of MICE cooperation between Russia and India: Global transfers provider i’way and hotels Edge Seligerskaya and Edge Vinogradovo Moscow by Rotana.

“In 2024, we have witnessed a significant surge (more than quadruple) in the demand for transfers by Russians visiting India, both for business and leisure purposes. Muscovites are leading the trend, with 80 per cent of transfer bookings originating from the capital since the beginning of the year. Additionally, we observe a growing interest from Indian tourism agencies in exploring Russia, resulting in a substantial increase in our collaboration,” commented Dmitriy Saraykin, co-founder of Global Transfer Provider i’way.

The Shaping MICE Future conference allowed the Moscow City Tourism Committee to form a pool of MICE industry representatives in Moscow to prioritize incoming requests for events and clarify India’s requirements for business and corporate events to build mutually effective work. Indian colleagues received up-to-date information about Moscow as a safe and attractive MICE destination and were able to find potential partners among representatives of the MICE industry of the Russian capital and were able to present the MICE market in India.

“The event served as a remarkable platform for fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the tourism industry. The event provided us with invaluable opportunities to engage with key stakeholders from the tourism department, as well as tour operators and service providers. The insights gained during the event underscored the Moscow City Tourism Committee’s keen interest in the Indian outbound market, and we are optimistic about the promising prospects for Moscow as a destination, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. We firmly believe that with concerted efforts and strategic initiatives, Moscow has the potential to emerge as a top-choice destination for Indian tourists,” said Mudit Mathur, director of Tours Delite India, representing Academ Service – Russia in India.

The conference also assessed the solutions to foreign demand for non-standard venues and elements in MICE programs, such as museums, parks, theaters and others. Holding MICE events at offbeat locations, such as the State Historical Museum, the Moscow Planetarium and Khudozhestvenny Cinema, is becoming popular.

This helps to attract conference organizers and creates a unique experience for the participants. Working in this format, many visitors who come to Moscow on a business trip want to return with their families and spend time as regular tourists. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

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Moscow City Tourism Committee organizes conference for Indian MICE market stakeholders

Recognising market demand, the moscow city tourism committee organized a conference for representatives of the indian mice industry, to introduce them to the tourism strengths of the russian capital..

Recognising market demand, the Moscow City Tourism Committee organized a conference for representatives of the Indian MICE industry, to introduce them to the tourism strengths of the Russian capital. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, and is a type of tourism in which large groups, usually plan things well in advance.

The event took place on April 19 in Delhi and brought together over 100 participants from MICE agencies of both countries, corporate customers, representatives of the travel industry in Moscow, Aeroflot and the Indian branches of Sberbank. Business tourism is one of the most promising directions for Moscow.

In 2023, the capital was visited by 3.7 million business tourists - 7 per cent more than in 2022. And India remains one of the leaders among visitors from non-CIS countries in terms of the number of business travellers. "The Russian capital as a centre of business tourism and corporate events is already an established and a strong brand in the international arena," commented Anastasia Popova, Deputy General Director for International and Industry Cooperation of Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Moscow.

"Now our task is to demonstrate to our Indian partners all the possibilities of organizing high-value MICE events in Moscow in combination with already proven tourist programs," said Popova. At the Shaping MICE Future Conference, industry experts from Russia and India pronounced statements and speeches on the future of MICE events in these two countries, a presentation of the MICE potential of Moscow was showcased, and an analytical report on the state of the outbound MICE market in India was presented to the visitors.

During the panel discussion, participants assessed the current status and interaction peculiarities with the MICE market in India and developed recommendations for the MICE industry in Moscow during the general brainstorming session. Representatives of the Indian MICE industry participated in B2B negotiations to find new cross-partners in the Moscow business environment and among representatives of the hospitality industry.

Representatives of the MICE industry took part in the event from Moscow. Among them were DMC (Grand Rus, Academservice, Headed Goose, Satguru Travel, Isba Rus, Hug the Bear, Mellenium Group) as well as representatives of other partners interested in the development of MICE cooperation between Russia and India: Global transfers provider i'way and hotels Edge Seligerskaya and Edge Vinogradovo Moscow by Rotana.

"In 2024, we have witnessed a significant surge (more than quadruple) in the demand for transfers by Russians visiting India, both for business and leisure purposes. Muscovites are leading the trend, with 80 per cent of transfer bookings originating from the capital since the beginning of the year. Additionally, we observe a growing interest from Indian tourism agencies in exploring Russia, resulting in a substantial increase in our collaboration," commented Dmitriy Saraykin, co-founder of Global Transfer Provider i'way. The Shaping MICE Future conference allowed the Moscow City Tourism Committee to form a pool of MICE industry representatives in Moscow to prioritize incoming requests for events and clarify India's requirements for business and corporate events to build mutually effective work. Indian colleagues received up-to-date information about Moscow as a safe and attractive MICE destination and were able to find potential partners among representatives of the MICE industry of the Russian capital and were able to present the MICE market in India.

"The event served as a remarkable platform for fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the tourism industry. The event provided us with invaluable opportunities to engage with key stakeholders from the tourism department, as well as tour operators and service providers. The insights gained during the event underscored the Moscow City Tourism Committee's keen interest in the Indian outbound market, and we are optimistic about the promising prospects for Moscow as a destination, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. We firmly believe that with concerted efforts and strategic initiatives, Moscow has the potential to emerge as a top-choice destination for Indian tourists," said Mudit Mathur, director of Tours Delite India, representing Academ Service - Russia in India. The conference also assessed the solutions to foreign demand for non-standard venues and elements in MICE programs, such as museums, parks, theaters and others. Holding MICE events at offbeat locations, such as the State Historical Museum, the Moscow Planetarium and Khudozhestvenny Cinema, is becoming popular.

This helps to attract conference organizers and creates a unique experience for the participants. Working in this format, many visitors who come to Moscow on a business trip want to return with their families and spend time as regular tourists. (ANI)

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