"Tourism is the most vulnerable sector of the economy, which is always the first to experience all the negative effects of military activity in the country. Over the 4 years that the crisis in Syria lasts, the country suffered a loss of more than $ 5 billion," Yazji said.
The 544 destroyed buildings of ministries, hotels and other tourist subjects make up the direct costs but there are indirect loses that cannot be counted – erased ancient quarters of Homs, Aleppo and Palmyra, he added.
Over 38,000 people lost their jobs in the tourist area during the war, Yazji stressed.
Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011. The government is fighting a number of opposition forces as well as radical Islamist militant organizations, including the Nusra Front and the Islamic State.
