The impact of Corona virus pandemic on tourism sector

Damascus (ST):  With the passage of a year since the decision to suspend visits and trips by individuals and groups, including religious tourism, due to the spread of the Corona virus  and the subsequent decisions, especially the closure of tourist facilities and restaurants and the reduction of their occupancy, the tourism and hotel sector was greatly damaged, which is reflected in the figures, where the movement of arrivals decreased by 80 percent  along with hotel reservations and the work of tourism and travel offices.

The Director of Planning and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism, Eng. Ahed Al-Zaeem, explained in a statement that the tourism sector was affected by the Corona virus pandemic, especially during the ban period, as 1790 catering establishments and 370 accommodation facilities were closed at that time, and tourism and travel agencies and transport companies stopped working with tourist

 Al-Zaeem pointed out that hotel occupancy decreased in 2020 in the hotels affiliated to the ministry, as well as revenues decreased slightly compared to the same period in 2019 as a result of precautionary measures, especially the closure of borders with neighboring countries and the cessation of religious tourism, as the number of incoming visitors decreased by 80 percent.

 Despite the repercussions of the pandemic on the tourism sector, the Ministry was able, according to the Director of Planning, to achieve a financial balance for several projects, address the stumbling of 5 projects, and sign contracts for 10 projects that were presented in the investment market for the year 2019.  The ministry also granted licenses to build 3 projects before the ban period and 4 projects after the end of that period.

During the year 2020, when the work period did not exceed 8 months, according to Al-Zaeem, the ministry spent its investment budget, 87 percent, between the central administration and the General Authority for Tourism Projects.

 Regarding international cooperation, Al-Zaeem mentioned that as a result of Corona, cooperation has turned into teleconferences with several countries, in addition to preparing tourism cooperation agreements and executive programs with the Crimean countries, Pakistan, Lebanon and the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to signing several local memoranda of understanding with local bodies and destinations.

The Director of Tourism Services and Institutions at the Ministry, Eng. Ramziya Utha Bashi, explained that the complete closure of airports in all countries of the world due to the Corona pandemic had an impact on their work, as the work of the tourist offices stopped, so that the Ministry would be active in the field of qualifying tourist guides and increasing their cultural experiences in preparation for the next stage.

The Director of Tourism Services and Institutions at the Ministry, Eng. Ramziya Utha Bashi, explained that the complete closure of airports in all countries of the world due to the Corona pandemic had an impact on their work, as the work of the tourist offices stopped, so that the Ministry would be active in the field of qualifying tourist guides and increasing their cultural experiences in preparation for the next stage.

Utah Bashi revealed that a decision was recently issued to bring in Iraqi religious tourism groups exclusively under strict controls.

The tourism sector is the first to be affected by the Corona pandemic, according to the head of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Tourism, Engineer Talal Khudair, especially after the decision to close tourist facilities was issued, as few establishments remained in service to meet external food requests, referring to the cooperation of facility owners in maintaining their workers and providing social aid and salaries at certain rates.

K.Q.