Published on : Thursday, May 10, 2018
Yaziji said, “In 2013 tourism declined by 92 percent…But over the past three years the rates have increased by 28-30 percent. This is an evidence of recovery.”
Yaziji said that the Syrian tourism sector suffered significant damage during the 2011 anti-terror war, and added that the sector suffered losses of 300 billion Syrian Pounds (around 580 million U.S. dollars) during the seven-year conflict.
The minister pointed out that the greatest damage in recent years was the result of terrorist attacks on mosques, churches and shrines, as well as targeting antiquities and monuments.
Yaziji said, “Some tourist facilities were levelled to the ground, but we are restoring these facilities. The terrorists did excavations to obtain antiquities and sold them to finance their terrorist acts. They also destroyed them under the pretext that these antiquities and monuments are as idols.”
The minister further said that the Syrian government is doing a lot of restoration works and making great efforts to reduce the negative effects of terrorist attacks on archaeological sites. The Syrian army is also striving to liberate many areas from the grip of terrorist organizations.
The percentage of hotel occupancy recently exceeded 90 percent and often goes to 100 percent during seasons and never goes below 60 percent.
Tags: Syria