Syria launches ‘Always Beautiful’ tourism campaign
The Syrian Ministry of Tourism has launched a promotional video showing holidaymakers jet-skiing and sunbathing on its beaches, using the slogan Syria – Always Beautiful.
The video, launched on You Tube, depicts carefree holidaymakers on busy beaches, pristine blue seas, jet-skiers and speedboats as it pans the coastline, focusing on the resort of Tartus.
The promotional campaign has been described as ‘bizarre’ as the country is still in the grip of a five-year civil war, which has left an estimate 250,000 Syrians dead and 11 million displaced.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the country, saying: "British nationals in Syria should leave now by any practical means. The situation remains extremely volatile and dangerous."
Foreign tourism accounted for 14% of the Syrian’s gross domestic product in 2010 and brought in about $8 billion a year, according to Syria’s tourism minister, Bishr al-Yazigi.
In 2013, 465,000 tourists visited the country, down from the eight million before fighting started in 2011, he said.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025