The Impact of the War on Syria on Changing Tourism Movement Using Geographic Information Systems Technologies tourism development of the(Study Area: City of Palmyra)

Abstract

Tourism is one of the most important business sectors that support the national economy in Syria and achieve comprehensive development of historical and heritage sites. The tourist movement witnessed a great improvement in the years preceding the war period, and the tourism industry and the necessary services and facilities developed. However, the war left devastating effects on the tourism level, as many cultural heritage sites in Syria were subjected to various types of vandalism, including theft and destruction.   

One of the most famous tourist sites in Syria and known worldwide, the city of Palmyra was the most important point of tourist attraction due to its archaeological, historical and geographical importance. However, in the current period, it lacks interest in securing tourism services, stimulating tourism movement, events and tourism activities that stimulate the visit of tourists, as its archaeological sites suffered from destruction and smuggling of artifacts outside the country.

This research aims to revitalize the tourism orientation of the archaeological sites in the city of Palmyra by focusing on the tourism components (archaeological, natural, religious) and evaluating theirs tourism services that can be used in the tourism industry in the city of Palmyra by using geographical information systems technology, which provides important tools in building and analyzing the tourist database . In addition to preparing digital maps of proposed tourist itineraries within the perspective of the sustainable development of tourism resources for the city of Palmyra.