SYRIA: Syria holds first 'Arab Tourism Forum' to discuss the industry's strengths and promote the country's stability to attract investment in the sector

Record ID: 279128

  • Title: SYRIA: Syria holds first 'Arab Tourism Forum' to discuss the industry's strengths and promote the country's stability to attract investment in the sector
  • Date: 2nd May 2009
  • Summary: MISIAF, SYRIA (FILE) (REUTERS) MISIAF CITADEL HOMS, SYRIA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CRAC DES CHEVALIERS IN HOMS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT THE CITADEL CRAC DES CHEVALIERS
  • Embargoed: 17th May 2009 13:00
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  • Reuters ID: LVAB2VI9Y0FITZPHPTXUOK9AO51B
  • Story Text: The first Arab Tourism Investment Forum was opened Tuesday (April 28) in the Syrian capital with the participation of representatives from different Arabic and European countries.
    The agenda of the three-day forum will focus on the global economic crisis and its effect on Syrian and Arab tourism and investments prospects in the industry.
    According to the International Tourism Organisation, international tourists to Arab countries increased by 14 percent by the end of 2008.
    However, many believe the boom is set to slow as tourists are forced to spend less and take breaks in their home countries as a result of the credit crunch.
    Syria is keen to keep to avoid the effects of the financial turmoil and hopes recent action will maintain a steady flow of income from tourism and related investment projects.

    "The government encouraged local investment projects and aims to attract Arab and Western investments. It has formed the suitable environment for the investments through taking many encouraging procedures, such as liberating the economy and external trade, as well as signing the primary partnership agreement with the European Union and signing many free trade agreements between Syria and some of the friendly Arab and Western countries," said Syrian prime minister Naji al-Otari.
    Qatar's Diyar have plans to build a coastal resort in the country worth an estimated 350 million U.S. Dollars whilst a Kuwaiti firm is constructing a 361 room Intercontinental Hotel in the capital.
    Syria's tourism minister, Saadallah Agha al-Qalaa, told participants that Syria's stability and general security would be a key asset in attracting tourists to a region where relative political tension in neighbouring Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories drives some tourists away.

    "Syrian tourism has many features that help it in facing the world economic crisis because it basically counts on tourists from the neighbouring countries, Arab tourism and religious tourism, whether Islamic or Christian.
    In addition to its location on Europe's borders, as well as its security and stability, which encourages tourists in order to repeat the visit," he said.
    With a host of unique sites such as the classical kingdom of Palmyra, a World Heritage site, drawing high-end tourists and Arab capital pouring in to build hotels and resorts, Syria's tourism sector is shaking off decades of under-investment.
    Visiting Syria is easy since tourists do not need visas to get into the country.
    The country of 20 million people is attracting mainly Gulf investors and Syrian expatriates looking for opportunities in a market that has partially opened up in recent years after heavy nationalisation and intervention by the state.
    Syria was the crossroad of the ancient world and a hub for business and tourism for centuries. Roman emperors came from Syria and the Umayyad dynasty made Damascus a cosmopolitan capital for an Arab empire stretching to Spain.
    Diplomatic missions opened in Aleppo as early as the 13th century.
    The second forum will be held in Yemen.
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