Sana'a: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has disclosed that Yemen's tourism sector has suffered direct losses totaling $11 billion due to the ongoing US-Saudi-UAE aggression and blockade over the past 11 years.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Ministry's statement, released in conjunction with the National Day of Resilience, detailed the extensive damage to cultural and historical landmarks, as well as the country's rich tangible heritage, which is a testament to one of the world's oldest civilizations. The Ministry revealed that since 2015, Yemen has lost approximately $1 billion annually in foreign currency revenue due to the decline in tourism, which previously attracted around 500,000 visitors each year.
The Ministry further elaborated that the near-total halt of international tourism, coupled with a decline in domestic tourism and investment, has crippled the sector, reducing its contribution to the GDP from 6% to less than 1% between 2015 and 2025. Over 500,000 families who relied on tourism have been severely affected.
The impact on the tourism sector is profound, with the Ministry noting the destruction of more than 473 tourist and historical sites, including 252 hotels and 82 restaurants. The blockade has also led to the closure of 543 tourism agencies, resulting in estimated losses of $1 billion and the dismissal of over 95% of workers in the sector. Additionally, the aggression has prevented over 400,000 foreign tourists from visiting Yemen annually.
The Ministry highlighted the severe impact on domestic tourism, attributing it to the targeting of tourism facilities and infrastructure. The blockade has also barred approximately 500,000 Yemeni expatriates from visiting the country each year, further compounding the sector's challenges.
Historical cities have not been spared, with more than 5,102 historic houses across 21 cities, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, being targeted. The assault has also damaged 48 historical castles, over 110 mosques, and 23 shrines.
The Ministry confirmed that antiquities and museums have been deliberate targets, with over 13 museums damaged and 8,000 artifacts looted. More than 2,000 of these artifacts have been identified in international markets. In addition, over 68 archaeological sites have faced destruction.
The manuscripts sector has also suffered, with over 60 preservation sites damaged and more than 14,000 manuscripts looted. Cultural facilities, including 11 centers and three theaters, have been damaged, and numerous libraries and clubs have ceased operations.
The Ministry condemned the prolonged targeting of Yemen's historical identity and cultural heritage, describing it as a violation of international conventions. It emphasized that the statistics provided are preliminary, with ongoing efforts to document the full extent of the damage.
The Ministry held the aggressors accountable for the material damages and vowed to pursue legal action to recover looted artifacts. It urged international bodies, including UNESCO, to condemn the violations and take action to protect Yemen's cultural assets.