No Salmon fishing in Yemen

Today I stumbled across a rather lovely article in the Daily Telegraph entitled There's no salmon fishing in Yemen, tourist board warns. 

When I trawl through Internet articles looking for recent news on Yemen I have come to expect accounts of violent attacks or Saleh's struggles to let go of power. I don't expect to read about fishing; I have to say it was rather refreshing to come across a positive article about Yemen.

Fancy a stop of fishing? well don't come to Yemen then!

The essence of the Telegraph's article is that since the release of the Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt film Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, (based on the novel by Paul Torday) there has been a surge of visitors to the Yemen Tourist Board's UK website. Amusingly, this recent interest in Yemen has stirred a panic in the Board's UK spokesman who has reiterated that salmon fishing isn't really popular, (or indeed possible) in Yemen.

I visited Yemen in 2007 and was blown away by its beautifully dramatic landscape and soft, distinctive architecture. At that time it was a popular destination for the more hardened European hikers, particularly from France and Germany  who impressed their younger Yemeni walking guides by making light work of the challenging terrain. It is therefore no surprise that those Brits who have seen the film version of Torday's novel are interested in visiting the country.

Yemen's rugged yet beautiful countryside

Sadly, this interest in Yemen as a tourist destination is dreadfully timed. I had a wonderful trip to the country in 2007 and I intend to go back at some point but I will not rush to Sana'a or the surrounding countryside at the moment. President Hadi needs to gain more control and especially needs to stop militant groups (allegedly al-Qaeda) from regularly attacking his army checkpoints before the country is ready to do themselves justice when it comes to tourism.

I only hope that the surge of interest tourist towards Yemen can stand the test of time necessary to see the country back on its feet. Growth in a tourist industry would undoubtedly benefit the country and, as I said before, it is a wonderful place to visit. That said, for the keen salmon anglers out there...best leave your rods and tackle in Blighty.