Despite the fact that a wide web of long roads stretches across the republic and links Yemeni districts and cities on one hand and Yemen and the outside world on the other, there is a total or partial absence of services on these roads.

"Though expensive, I like to travel by air instead of buses because it is more comforting. Further, there are no good services on long roads and if available, their services do not come to the level," Said Fadhl Hajar who is from Ibb by origin and now lives in Al-Maharah's Al-Ghaidhah.

Hundreds of people share Hajar his opinion and hold that more services should exist on all long roads and at regular distances, allowing travelers to take rest, have food, do their prayers, find car services, etc.

Hajar adds that Ministry of Tourism should make feasibility study of all areas located on highways to decide on the best places where investors can build complexes to provide travelers with whatever they need including first class restaurants, cafes, mosques, first-aid centers, etc. 

Citizen Abdullah Al-Sameen stresses that existence of services would push up the wheel of internal tourism and helps boost the national economy, adding man by his own nature likes to discover places around him. 

"I think state should build service complexes close to the check points and this can be of benefit to both people and state and it can also provide jobs to many idle citizens or even soldiers who spend a considerable time in sleeping or chewing Qat," noted Al-Sameen.

Absence of services hinder internal tourism

A recent economic study by the Yemeni Consulting House indicated that the non-existence of services including restaurants, hotels, etc, on the highways hinders the development of internal tourism in Yemen. It further hinted that Qat is responsible for slowing the pace of internal tourism development. 

Meanwhile, the study listed other reasons that stand behind the low level of internal tourism and included the feeble knowledge of tourism and its importance by people and low income as well as the absence of good services.

Tourism experts assure that existence of good services at affordable prices would stir up the domestic tourism; however, a campaign themed 'know your homeland' should be conducted wherein people are demanded to know more and more about their country.

Official statistics indicate that a noticeable increase in domestic tourism is recorded in Eid occasions particularly in Aden and other Yemeni coastal areas; however, these nice times are spoiled by the crowdedness and expensive services, according to many people.

Qat: for and against

As to the effect of Qat, around 54 percent of respondents named it as the one of the hindrances before the development of the domestic tourism and 24 percent hold it has slight effect, while 21 percent denied any effect for Qat on the growth of tourism. 

However, this finding is not accepted by many Qat chewers and Hajar believes that it is an important part of traveling for long distances because it helps them concentrate on the road.

"If you chew Qat, you will forget about everything. Qat helps drivers to concentrate and act better. It also makes them more relaxed and thus more patient. Fewer accidents will take place in case drivers chew Qat as those who chew it will not fall asleep," asserts he. 

Still, he believes that cafes or small inns should be available on the long roads to serve Sheeshah and Mu'asel to those Qat chewers, maintaining that 80 percent of Yemenis are Qat-addicts.

"I am not for chewing Qat and smoking while boarding cars or buses and many people I met share me this opinion. In fact, both Qat and cigarettes should be banned altogether on cars and other means of transportation", asserts Ibrahim Al-Omari.

More investments required

Citizens still hold that the existence of more than one service provider in one place is important because competition leads to better service at low prices, hinting that authorities should set plans that allow many investors to provide similar services in nearby areas.

"When more than option exists, you will choose the better. However, when just one restaurant or hotel exists, then you are forced to stay there at the price that pleases the facility's owner," declared Abdullah Saleh. 

Saleh goes on to say that small traders and business owners seize any chance to make more money at the risk of people as in occasions or when there is more demand on their services, maintaining competition is a key solution to these problems.

"Service complexes are on rise and they offer travelers with all things they need including food, drink, baths, etc. In the past, it was hard to find such services. Still, more investments in this sector will add to the available ones and create competition among investors to provide better service," believes Atiq Al-Assad.