Damascus – Tourism in Syria has recorded strong growth in recent years. According to information supplied by the Syrian Ministry of Tourism, Saadallah Agha Al-Qalaa, even amidst the international financial crisis, visitor inflow into the country increased by 9% in the first half, compared with the same period last year.
During a meeting this Thursday (23rd), in Damascus, Qalaa told the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Salim Taufic Schahin, that before the crisis the sector was growing at an annual average of 15%. Tourism, according to him, accounts for 11% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Syria is now receiving 5.4 million visitors per year on average.
Schahin is interested in encouraging Brazilians to travel to the Arab world and vice versa, by means of the Arab Brazilian Chamber. With the minister, he discussed actions that may be implemented to arouse interest in Syria, as there is presently little promotion of the country as a destination in Brazil.
Qalaa said that one of the reasons for the near-null marketing is the lack of a Brazilian partner in the area. Schahin declared that the Arab Brazilian Chamber might be that partner, as it is now establishing a commission turned exclusively to the sector.
The minister suggested an action plan that includes, first of all, inviting Brazilian journalists to visit Syria, so that the local press may present the existing attractions; and secondly, invite tourism operators to get to know the country and then offer it as a destination to their clients.
“You could be our partners in choosing the journalists and agencies,” said Qalaa. “With a partner, we feel more encouraged. We are ready to carry out joint work,” he added.
Presently, according to the minister, Syria is doing more promotion work in Asia, especially in China, but has already begun working on its image in Latin America, firstly in Venezuela. “The number of Venezuelans who came to Syria in the first half was higher than in all of last year,” he said.
One important partner with Syria in the sector is Turkey, and relations between the two countries, generally speaking, have grown significantly in recent years. The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visited Syria last Wednesday and was welcomed by president Bashar Al Assad.
According to Qalaa, Turkey and Syria have signed deals to foster bilateral tourism and jointly promote the two countries as tourist destinations abroad. This can make it easier for Brazilian tourists to travel to Syria, as Turkish Airlines has a daily flight between São Paulo and Istanbul. Syria may also be reached through Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, by means of flights by Emirates Airline or European companies. The minister added that Turkish and Syrian operators may sell packages that include both countries.
Investment
Qalaa also mentioned investment opportunities in tourist enterprises in Syria. According to him, there are 450 projects underway in the sector, totalling US$ 4 billion. “We are really attractive,” he said, upon presenting tourism industry figures.
The minister said that the Syrian government started opening the sector to foreign exploration in 2005, because it was the only way of meeting the demand. According to him, 60% of investment is currently of Syrian origin and the remaining 40% is foreign. He suggested that tourism-oriented missions should be promoted, and stated that Syria can exhibit at Brazilian tourism fairs.
TV
Also on Thursday, Salim Schahin gave an interview about his visit to TV show Overseas, of the Syrian Satellite Channel, which broadcasts in English, French, Spanish and Russian. The interview, made in English by host Alaa Ebrahim, will air at 09:30 pm on Saturday, Damascus time.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
