Syria's Minister of Tourism reviewed the state of tourism in Syria, the potential for developing and revitalizing it, and the tourist investment growth process.

He stressed that Syria has a wealth of archeological sites, natural locations and tourist attractions, including religious sites.

During his meeting with an Italian media delegation, Dr. Agha al-Qalaa underlined his Ministry's efforts for revitalizing tourism movement, particularly European tourism, underlining the current Saint Paul festivities and its activities that should help boost religious tourism in Syria.

He added that Syria ranked 48th out of 176 countries in 2008 regarding the relative state of tourist activities to national economy after ranking 61st in the past, which affirms that tourism plays a larger role in national economy.

Dr. Agha al-Qalaa then discussed the Saint Paul festivities in 2008 and 2009, which are being organized by the Ministry of Tourism in cooperation with the churches of Syria, underlining that Syria is the cradle of Christianity from which St. Paul spread his message.

For their part, members of the delegation expressed admiration of the archeological sites they visited during their tour, underlining the significance of the tourist activities program for the Saint Paul festivities.

The delegation includes representatives of major Italian newspapers, televisions and radio stations and journalists from the Italian Opera Romana Pilgrimages institution.