The number of Turkish tourists to Syria has achieved a remarkable growth so far in 2005 compared to past years, al-Thawra daily reported Monday. “The number of Turkish tourists in 2005 reached 96,000 compared with 22,000 in 2004, 12,000 in 2003, 10,000 in 2001 and 5,000 in 2000,” the paper reported.

It attributed the reasons for this increase to the facilities that Syria and Turkey have adopted on borders, the increase of crossing points and air flights in the light of the political rapprochement between the two sides in addition to the economic and trade cooperation.