Damascus, (SANA) - Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri on Thursday reviewed with Ertugrul Gunay, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, means of boosting cooperation between Syria and Turkey.
The meeting focused on tourism cooperation between the two countries where the two sides stressed the importance of benefiting from joint expertise in tourism promotion, in addition to organizing events to introduce tourist attractions in Syria and Turkey.
The two sides also discussed cultural cooperation, particularly the restoration of historical buildings and archeological landmarks.
Otri,Chief Executive of International Starwood Company Discuss Bilateral Cooperation
Also, Prime Minister Otri discussed with the International Starwood Company Chief Executive Fritz Van Paasschen cooperation between the government and the company in developing the tourist sector and supporting tourism development in Syria.
The two sides reviewed during the meeting the possibility of benefiting from the company's expertise in tourist promotion, qualifying tourist facilities and training cadres working in tourist activities.
Prime Minister Otri reviewed the tourism indicators, the increase in the number of tourists visiting Syria, its cultural richness, diverse factors of tourism attraction and the tourist industry.
Syrian, Turkish Tourism Ministers: Advanced Steps in Joint Cooperation
In a press conference on the sidelines of the Syrian-Turkish Tourism Technical Committee, Minister of Tourism Saadallah Agha al-Qalaa said that tourism cooperation between Syria and Turkey adds to the long-lasting relations, adding that these relations have yielded joint tourism projects of economic feasibility.
He added that the two countries seek to create a joint tourist space of economic benefit to both of them.
The Minister pointed out that new measures will be taken to facilitate tourism movement by land, air and sea, stressing the importance of establishing airline alliances to receive tourists from all over the world without any additional costs.
For his part, Turkish Minister of Tourism said that cooperation between Syria and Turkey has reached advanced levels over the past four years, adding that the two countries have to work on overcoming obstacles facing progress in tourism and economic development.
He indicated to the Turkish investors and businessmen's desire to benefit from facilitations and investment guarantees in Syria and carry out tourism projects.
He stressed the need for benefiting from cultural tourism through opening cultural centers in Damascus, Aleppo, Ankara and Istanbul, in addition to restoring historical sites.
New Facilitations, Bolstering Partnerships
Earlier, the Syrian-Turkish Tourism Technical Committee held its meeting, co-chaired by Ministers al-Qalaa and Gunay.
The talks focused on means of activating cooperation in the fields of tourist marketing and promotion, training, exchanging expertise and tourist services, tourist investment and forming follow-up committees.
The Committee also discussed defining cultural, religious, historical and environmental tracks and developing joint tourist products, as well as defining special tracks relating to marine trips between the two countries and stimulating the private sectors in both.
Minister Agha al-Qalaa said the meeting comes in the framework of the joint work and encouraging tourism between Syria and Turkey, establishing a joint tourist climate and promoting brotherly and friendly relations following the decision last year of abolishing visa entries between Syria and Turkey.
Tourism Minister said the Turkish tourists rank fourth in the Syrian tourism, with a growth rate of 136% in 2009-2010, which will enhance the power of the two countries in international tourism.
He assured that more facilitations will be offered to encourage tourism and consolidate partnerships between the two countries' companies.
Gunay pointed out to the two countries' solid ties and the extent of cooperation, clarifying that the Syrian tourists ranked ninth among the tourists who visited Turkey last year.
Gunay said the development of bilateral economic and political relations has reflected positively on the tourist field, noting cultural cooperation as embodied in attempts to open reciprocal cultural centers.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2011
