- Title: SYRIA-TOURISM FESTIVAL Syria tourism festival relaunches in Homs
- Date: 4th August 2015
- Summary: NASSIRAH (WESTERN HOMS), SYRIA (AUGUST 2, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF A BAND DANCING IN THE OPENING OF TOURISM FESTIVAL
- Embargoed: 19th August 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAECK3IV5WD7HC14V66IY0WCW0W
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The festive scenes in the Syrian city of Homs are a far cry from the raging war in the country, that has torn the nation apart.
Homs, which lies on a crucial supply route between the capital Damascus and the Mediterranean coast has not been immune from the fighting. But the city is hosting a five-day cultural festival, the last time an event of this kind was held here was five years ago.
According to the country's Tourism Minster, Bisher Yazagi, the festival signals a positive change in internal tourism, with more investment injected into the ailing sector.
"I would say that internal tourism is good, of course it's the conditions that have made the internal tourism good. What is striking today is the increase in tourism investments caused by the new internal tourism fact. Today we see new hotels opening, we see many projects that started especially in the safe areas,'' said Yazagi.
But starting up a new business isn't without its risks, especially in a country suffering from a bruised and battered economy as a result of the war.
Osama Suleibi is the manager of a new Homs hotel.
''The conditions are of course difficult, the economic outlook for any project won't necessarily be profitable because of the crisis. But like I told you, the idea is for the country to return to live again, with regards to Al Wadi, which is considered a safe area, we are trying our best to encourage internal tourism, to encourage people to come, to offer them reasonable prices, to return happiness and life back to them," he said.
Syria's economy has more than halved in the four years since the civil war broke out, with oil production dwindling, inflation surging and the currency near collapse, a new report said in June.
British think-tank Chatham House said the figures raised the question of whether economic crisis might precipitate a military collapse of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, or if further military defeats could trigger economic breakdown.
The report said the Syrian pound has lost 78 percent of its value since the conflict began in 2011, while the year-on-year rate of inflation peaked at about 120 percent in July and August 2013.
The rise in prices averaged 51 percent between January 2012 and March 2015.
Despite the economic turmoil, those in Homs are celebrating the beginning of a new future here.
As part of the ongoing festival, young runners took part in a race, with drummers taking part in a street parade.
The festival includes poetry readings, sports activities and musical events.
For locals here they want their lives to return to normal.
''This shows that the will of our people is big and strong, and we will return to our lives, once things become stable. And God willing there will be a return to safety, security and peace,'' said a resident of Homs, George.
Homs was a center of the insurrection against Assad's rule and was a major opposition stronghold until it was retaken by the army in May 2014.
The city lies 150 km (90 miles) to the west of Palmyra, also known as Tadmur, which ultra hardline Islamic State militants seized in May.
The crisis that erupted in 2011 with protests against President al-Assad has descended into a civil war that has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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