With Oil revenues dropping, Syria is seeking to convert its new-found acceptance on the world stage into tourism revenue, forcing up investments, increasing advertising and broadening its appeal to international holiday makers.
Damascus has identified tourism as a sector with strong growth potential – one that in years to come could replace falling earnings from its dwindling oil industry and provide employment for the expanding workforce.
According to Tourism Minister Saadalla Agha Al Qala, the government is committed to doing all that is necessary to assist in the development of the sector, which he described as an important part of the Syrian economy.
Speaking at a press conference in Rome to promote Syria as a destination for religious pilgrims, the minister said there was a 15% increase in the number of overseas arrivals last year compared to 2007, and that new tourism developments worth $5.79bn were currently being undertaken to meet this rising demand.
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