Syrian Tourism Minister Bishr Yazigi met on Sunday the Secretary-General of the Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai and the accompanying delegation. Yazigi said that the upcoming stage regarding the tourism industry should concentrate on “the business and religious tourism” as an important means for reviving the areas that have been liberated by the Syrian Arab army from terrorism.

The minister also referred to the future projects being set in order to develop the tourism industry throughout Syria, and the need to train staff specialized in tourism.

In turn, Rifai pointed out to the existence of important investment opportunities in Syria, adding that it is important to take into account how to integrate tourism with the environment and the local community.

Later, Yazigi, Rifai and the accompanying delegation visited the National Visual Arts center and several archeological sites in the old city of Damascus.

Syria is a member of UNWTO.

This is one of the latest official trips by the outgoing UNWTO Secretary-General.  Rifai, a Jordanian national will give the helm of his organization to Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia on January 1.