The Syrian Ministry of Tourism announced a new initiative aiming to boost inter-Arab tourism at a recent press conference held in Damascus. The scheme targets Arab tourists who, according to Tourism Minister Saadallah Agha Al-Qalaa, prefer a vacation closer to home following the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Al-Qalaa added that the ministry intends to launch its promotional campaign on national television stations throughout the Middle East, in a bid to double incoming Arab tourism to Syria.
The number of non-Arab tourists entering Syria in 2001 fell by 30 to 40 percent compared to the previous year, according to official statistics, a drop largely attributed to the global slowdown in tourism following the September attacks. Arab tourists constitute 74 percent of tourists traveling to Syria each year.
The nation’s income from tourism reached one billion dollars in 2000, reported Lebinvest. In July 2001, Syria drew up a list of 64 tourist projects open to private investments to meet the needs of incoming visitors. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
