Damascus, (SANA) – Minister of Tourism Saadalla Agha al-Qala'a announced on Wednesday that the projects which will presented in the 4th International Tourist Investment Market Meeting amount to 123 projects.

The Minister pointed out to the developments in tourist investment in Syria and the strategies of the meeting, in addition to the results of previous meetings. He added that investment projects under construction are valued at about USD 3.3 billion in 2007, while the 25 contracted projects booked during the 3rd meetings are valued at about USD 555 million and the projects currently being signed are valued at about USD 400 million.

According to the Minister, non-Syrian tourists spent  around USD 2.8 billion in 2007.

Agha al-Qala'a also stated that the Ministry will be holding an interior tourism expo at the New Fairgrounds from the 22nd to the 24th of May.

The 4th International Tourist Market Meeting, which will be held in Damascus on the 29th and 30th of April, discusses the effects of tourist investment meetings on economy, competitiveness in Syrian tourism, the new tourist investment environment, the role of promotion and marketing in revitalizing tourism, major tourist development areas, and planning integration.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen