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Are other parts of Yemen opening up to tourists?

Replies: 39 - Last Post: Jul 11, 2012 11:25 AM Last Post By: chan_kawing

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bigpum

bigpum avatar

Jun 29, 2012 7:40 AM
Posts:  31

Are other parts of Yemen opening up to tourists?

this was posted in a thread below and though it diserved attention since noone has mentioned it.

"sure it's easy to get permission from police no worry

you can visit Manakha, Shibam/Thulla Al-Mahweet "

How long have these places been open for?
Is the situation getting better over there?

.

fluffy_bunny

fluffy_bunny avatar

Jun 29, 2012 11:16 PM
Posts:  1,359

1

As a foreigner living in Sana'a i can tell you the Tourist Police are not issuing travel permits anywhere overland. THis includes Thulla or Manakha. My NGO president (with VERY close ties to "important people") is from Manakha and even he cannot get us permission. But we keep pushing.

niceyemen

niceyemen avatar

Jul 2, 2012 4:33 AM
Posts:  57

2

last week in the weekend . i had tourists visited Shibam Thulla - Kwkban - Hababah .
it's too easy to get permission from Tourist Police .

How long have these places been open for? these places near Sana'a 50KM from Sana'a
and to Manakha 120 KM from Sana'a
these places been open 4 months a go .

Silenceit

Silenceit avatar

Jul 2, 2012 8:21 AM
Posts:  3

3

Hi all

havent posted for a while on the thorn tree.

I have a question. Im from an European country and today the Yemen embassy told they dont issue tourist visas anymore. Is this true? I just want to go to Sanaa for 4 days to admire its beauty. Any help on this thorny issue?

cheers

fluffy_bunny

fluffy_bunny avatar

Jul 2, 2012 8:32 AM
Posts:  1,359

4

Half true. They no longer issue visas to independent tourists. Travellers now need to make use of a Yemeni travel agency.

Silenceit

Silenceit avatar

Jul 2, 2012 9:04 PM
Posts:  3

5

thanks for your reply.

would you be able to suggest me a couple? you can also pm if you dont want to advertise any in particular.

cheers

niceyemen

niceyemen avatar

Jul 3, 2012 10:20 AM
Posts:  57

6

You can find tourist agency arranging tourist visa $ 60 from Sana'.

Magborowiec

Magborowiec avatar

Jul 4, 2012 12:34 AM
Posts:  11

7

I consider Yemen for August. I tgo the message from the Yemeni embassy in Warsaw that there is no problem to get a visa. It costs 50 usd. What about travelling in Yemen? Is it safe for a woman travelling alone?

fluffy_bunny

fluffy_bunny avatar

Jul 4, 2012 12:50 AM
Posts:  1,359

8

It is uncommon for anyone to travel alone in Yemen (and the Middle East in general) So for a woman to travel alone is a completely alien concept. Keep in mind, that at present, you will not be able to travel overland, and you will need to fly from A to B.

Magborowiec

Magborowiec avatar

Jul 4, 2012 1:52 AM
Posts:  11

9

Are u in Yemen? Where did u find this information? Either Pakistan nor Yemen are accessible :-(

niceyemen

niceyemen avatar

Jul 4, 2012 3:09 AM
Posts:  57

10

Yes a bit strange. But you can travel alone. It is better to have you dress Abaya.

fluffy_bunny

fluffy_bunny avatar

Jul 4, 2012 3:34 AM
Posts:  1,359

11

Yes, i've moved from Iraq and am now based in Sana'a. I got the info because i have been to the tourist police both for myself and my staff and have been unable to get travel permits. The president of the NGO's brother is a colonel in the tourist police, we have close working relationships with several government officials. I have even had dinner at the house of the former governor of Sana'a, But even this hasn't helped. We're trying to get permits this weekend again (either Manakha or Shibam/Kawkaban). I'll let you know how it goes.

Magborowiec

Magborowiec avatar

Jul 4, 2012 4:55 AM
Posts:  11

12

Great! I need to book a fly ticket till this Monday. Waiting for news from you. BTW, interesting that we our in "touch" again. For the first time when I was planning to go to Kurdistan :-)

Magborowiec

Magborowiec avatar

Jul 4, 2012 4:57 AM
Posts:  11

13

and I am interested in why there are so many restrictions to travel overland in Yemen.

fluffy_bunny

fluffy_bunny avatar

Jul 4, 2012 5:58 AM
Posts:  1,359

14

Protection and security. With an American killed in Taiz, Swiss girl kidnapped in Hodeidah and a Saudi diplomat kindnapped in Aden, the government cannot handle the bad publicity. Therefore, controlling the movement of foreigners is the best option. BTW, this is not Kurdistan, this is an entirely different place which needs to be approached entirely differently.
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