The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, in cooperation with the Aden Divers Association, organized a marine tourism event on Saturday, which included diving activities around Aziziyah Island in Khor Umairah. This event was part of the activities accompanying the celebration of World Tourism Day.
The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. Muammar bin Mutahhar Al-Eryani, and His Excellency the Minister of State and Governor of the Interim Capital, Aden, Mr. Ahmed Hamed Lamlas. This event is part of government efforts to stimulate the tourism sector, particularly ecotourism and marine tourism.
The event featured free diving and scuba diving activities, with the participation of a number of amateurs and trainees who are marine tourism enthusiasts, under the supervision of Captain Dr. Jamal Bawazir, Captain Ali Al-Hamed, and Captain Omar Al-Qasimi.
The diving operations were carried out in several stages, during which participants underwent practical training before descending to varying depths. This enabled them to acquire basic diving skills and enjoy the coral reefs and unique biodiversity that characterize the coasts of Aziziyah Island.
In a press statement, Mr. Hussein Al-Sakab, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism for Services and Activities, explained that the event is part of the Ministry's plan to revive marine tourism in Yemen and highlight the environmental and aesthetic assets of Aden's coasts, including coral reefs and rich marine life, which are among the most important attractions for diving enthusiasts, both locally and internationally.
Al-Sakab said, "This event is not limited to being a symbolic celebration, but rather represents a practical step towards marketing Aden as a safe and promising tourist destination, especially in light of the noticeable improvement in security and stability indicators and the return of economic and service activities to normal."
He pointed out that diving tourism is one of the most attractive forms of tourism, offering unique exploratory experiences. He called for encouraging investment in this field by supporting specialized clubs, providing appropriate infrastructure, and training local personnel.
Al-Sakab also expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Muammar bin Mutahhar Al-Eryani, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, and to Governor Ahmed Lamlas, for their direct support of the services and activities sector, and their commitment to the success of this event and the promotion of sustainable tourism.
Al-Sakab concluded his statement by emphasizing that the Ministry, under the guidance of His Excellency Minister Al-Eryani, is working to organize more tourism events in various liberated governorates within the government's centennial program, in line with a national vision aimed at restoring Yemen's position on the regional and international tourism map and enhancing the tourism sector's contribution to economic development.
He also called for raising community awareness of the importance of tourism as a significant economic and investment driver.
