The Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, organized a tourist tour in Old Damascus today, Thursday, with the participation of representatives from 28 diplomatic missions accredited in Syria. Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salahani attended the event, which aimed to present a vivid picture of the religious and cultural diversity that characterizes Syria's civilizational identity.
The tour route extended from Bab Sharqi and the Church of Hanania, passing through the Straight Street and the Roman Arch, reaching Al-Bzourieh Souq, Khan As'ad Pasha, and the Umayyad Mosque, then to the Mosque of Sayyida Ruqayya. This scene reflects the particularity of Damascus, where places of worship, historical landmarks, and traditional markets coexist, with its streets narrating a story of centuries of interaction between cultures and civilizations.
Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salahani emphasized that the goal is for guests to see Syria as it is, from the Church of Hanania to the Umayyad Mosque, and to discover that Syria's diversity is a present reality in its streets and history. He pointed out that confidence in the tourist destination is not built on media messages alone, but through direct experience that allows representatives to carry a more realistic image of the opportunities Syria possesses to complete its presence on the international tourism map.
For his part, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Waeed Mubarak Siyar, clarified that Syria possesses a rich heritage of civilizations that have succeeded one another, and that the tour allowed for the inspection of its ancient landmarks and archaeological sites. Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sufyan Al-Qudah, emphasized the importance of these tours in revitalizing tourist movement, noting that Damascus has returned to be an important center for attracting Arab and foreign tourism.
The participating missions included Arab, Asian, European, African, and Latin American representation, along with the European Union delegation, giving the tour an international dimension that transcends traditional tourist activity. This initiative comes within the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism to leverage cultural and tourist diplomacy to enhance communication with the world, thereby supporting the presence of the Syrian destination in international tourist markets.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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