Yemen has launched what it says was the biggest-ever tourism campaign in the Arabian Gulf countries.

The campaign, kicked off on Wednesday in Qatar's capital Doha, covers five GCC member states. It coincided with the hosting of the 20th Gulf football cup in the south.

Deputy Minister for Tourism Mutahar Taqi said the tourism promotion campaign started in Qatar due to this country's important role in supporting the tourism sector in Yemen which comes after the oil sector in terms of contributing to the investment boost.

The championship, being held in Aden and Abyan, represented a push to develop the tourism sector, he said, denying the last events topped by Al-Qaeda's threat have affected tourism in the country.

"Many visitors continue to arrive in Yemeni cities, putting the unfair media propaganda over the situation in Yemen behind them."

The security and political situations in Yemen are good, and we urge foreign media to exercise maximum accuracy as to what they report on any thing in our country, he said.

"We also urge the media and those interested in Yemen to introduce Yemen as it is in reality and to avoid distortion."

Inaccurate reports have hampered tourism in Yemen more than real events did, he said.

Yemen has recently taken several steps aimed at improving the tourism sector including the establishment of the tourism security unit and tourism police.

Moreover, the Tourism Minister has a number of improvement projects coinciding with the championship aimed at attracting more visitors to Yemen.

Earlier this week, Tourism Minister said the revenue from the championship was estimated more than $ 600 million.