Damascus, Feb. 17 (SANA) – The South African Embassy in Damascus held a tourism‑promotion seminar on Tuesday aimed at introducing Syrian travel agencies to the country’s attractions and expanding cooperation in the sector.
South African Ambassador Ashraf Youssef Suleiman said the event was the first of its kind organized by the embassy in Syria in recent years and was intended to highlight South Africa’s tourism offerings and encourage greater engagement between the two countries. He noted that South Africa welcomed around ten million visitors last year, while tourism from Syria remained limited.
Suleiman said bilateral relations are developing and added that South Africa plans to expand its electronic travel authorization system next year to cover all countries requiring visas, allowing tourist visa applications to be processed within 24 hours.
Ayman Shehabi, the honorary consul of South Africa in Aleppo, said the country’s varied landscapes and mild climate make it an appealing destination for travelers from the Middle East. He called for holding similar events later this year to strengthen cooperation.
Saleh al‑Sharabji, head of the Tourism and Travel Offices Division at the Damascus Tourism Chamber, said Syria’s tourism sector is gradually recovering and stressed the importance of building ties with foreign destinations.
South African‑Syrian tour guide Nasser al‑Kurdi said the seminar helps introduce South Africa’s cultural and natural diversity, wildlife and adventure tourism, adding that he hopes more Syrians will consider visiting the country.
South Africa, located at the southern tip of the African continent, has a population of more than 60 million and is known for its cultural diversity and developed infrastructure.
