DAMASCUS, (ST) – The Tourism Minister, Bisher Yaziji, recently discussed with South African Ambassador in Damascus Shaun Benfeldt relations of cooperation between the two friendly countries and ways of activating beach tourism, nature reserves, legislations, the exchange of experiences and tourism investments.
During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of benefiting from the expertise of businessmen who decided to return from South Africa to Syria to contribute to the reconstruction through investment, small and medium enterprises in the field of tourism.
The two sides stressed the need to activate a number of points contained in the agreement, which was discussed in 2007 and was not signed until today; especially Syria in the coming period will witness an active movement in business tourism and conferences.
In a statement to local press after, Mr. Yaziji underlined that the ministry is working on the development of the tourism sector because of its importance in the reconstruction and development, noting that the shared vision between Syria and South Africa and the positive attitude towards Syria constitute a good motive to create a partnership between the two countries in the field of tourism.
“A memorandum of understanding between the two countries was discussed. The memo deals with the exchange of experiences in the area of beach tourism, management of tourist sites of archaeological and natural reserves, the exchange of experiences in education, tourism and hotel investment and tourism legislation that are characterized by South Africa, noting the successful experience of South Africa’s in dealing with the reality of tourism after crises,” the minister clarified.
For his part, the Ambassador said that mechanisms of activating and strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism were discussed. Mr. Benfeldt pointed out that Syria can offer a lot in the field of tourism through its diversity and the great tourism potential, whereas Syria has a lot of history and civilization.
Sharif el Khatib