Millions Visit Syria

Posted by Hugh Taylor Jan 16, 2007

These visitors contributed some US$2.3 billion to the Syrian economy and according to Syria’s Minister of Tourism, Saadallah Agha al-Qalaa the numbers are set to increase as Syria embarks on a major tourist marketing project. "The Ministry aspires to attract 7 million tourists in 2010 through launching external promotion and marketing campaigns during 2007,"

The Minister was speaking at a meeting with Dr. Meredith Burgmann President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales who was leading an Australian delegation.

They were discussing the possibility of developing tourist links between Syria and Australia. The delegation were apparently impressed by the wealth of cultural and historic sites to be found in Syria as well as its natural history and resources.

Bradt Guides produce an excellent guidebook to Syria. Written by Diana Darke a graduate in Arabic from Oxford University who owns an 18th century courtyard house in the Old City of Damascus.