Damascus, March 3 (SANA) Syria’s Minister of Tourism, Mazen al-Salhani, met Tuesday with the chargé d’affaires of the Cypriot Embassy in Damascus, Michalis Hadjikyrou, to discuss ways to revitalize tourism cooperation and strengthen coordination between the two countries.
During the meeting in Damascus, the two sides examined mechanisms to boost mutual tourist flows, including the possible resumption of direct flights and the reactivation of maritime tourism routes between Syrian and Cypriot ports — an initiative seen as key to reviving regional cruise activity.
Both parties underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in cultural and heritage tourism and highlighted Cyprus’s experience in hotel management and renovation.
According to the ministry, several Cypriot investors have expressed interest in exploring opportunities in Syria’s hotel restoration and modernization projects.
Al-Salhani stressed the ministry’s commitment to broadening international partnerships, particularly with friendly Mediterranean nations, and affirmed Syria’s readiness to deepen tourism ties with Cyprus.
He invited the Cypriot side to visit Syria to assess cooperation prospects in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and encouraged participation in the Syria Travel Show 2026, scheduled to take place in Damascus next April.
Hadjikyrou expressed his country’s interest in reactivating tourism cooperation, exploring joint training programs, exchanging expertise and developing shared tourism projects that could strengthen economic relations.
Syrian-Cypriot relations have seen notable growth in recent years, with both sides working to update and implement bilateral agreements in support of economic and social recovery.
