Director of tourism in Damascus Countryside, Tareq Krishati, said that despite the sanctions imposed on , investment in tourism remained an attraction for foreign and local investors. Mr Krishati said that during the first quarter of the year, the directorate of Tourism in Damascus countryside has submitted 12 tourist-projects to the Committee which is specialized in granting initial licenses, of a cost that amount to 15 billion Syrian pounds.

He pointed out that four projects, of a cost that amount to 800 million Syrian pounds, have actually started services in the first quarter of the year.He indicated that the projects which are proposed and which have started their services will provide 15,800 direct job opportunities in the country.