WTM: Yemeni wins global lifetime travel award

Marco Livadiotti, founder of Universal Touring Company, Yemen, has secured a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to promoting Yemen as a tourism destination.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery presented the award to the Mr Livadiotto at today’s WTM 30th Anniversary VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony at London's Excel Centre.

WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising key travel industry media around the world, put forward organisations and individuals which have contributed to their region’s travel and tourism industry. Mr Livadiotto was nominated by TTN Middle East. Its publishing director, Kimberly Thomson, jointly presented the award with Jeffery and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Livadiotto, who established the inbound tour operator in 1985, serves as its Vice President of tourism and marketing. Born in Italy, he moved to Yemen when he was five years old.

Over the years, he has liaised with worldwide organisations such as Unesco, Aga Khan and World Monuments to create awareness about Yemen’s cultural heritage and architectural treasures.

Many conservation and environmental experts and researchers from museums, universities, cultural associations, archeological expeditions coming to Yemen have used UTC as their handling agent. UTC can offer small personalised tailor-made tours.

UTC is working on an eco-tourism strategy with Yemen Tourism Promotion Board and the Ministry of Tourism and plans to open up the Socotra Islands to sustainable tourism. One-third of the archipelago’s plant life is found nowhere else on the planet, hence the need for a responsible approach.

Mr Liviatto also believes that Yemen needs support from other Arab nations in its bid to became an established tourism destination, Two years ago UTC opened a sister company in Dubai - Arabia Felix Tourism – to promote combination tours between Dubai, Oman and Yemen.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “Yemen is a destination which deserves to be on every travellers must-see list. Marco Liviatto’s commitment to Yemeni tourism so is doing more than anyone to promote the country.”