New Delhi, May 12 (IANS): India and Syria decided to increase cooperation in the tourism sector and explore investment opportunities in the field.

This was decided at the first joint working group meeting on tourism between India and Syria held here Tuesday.

A press release said that the Indian side was led by Additional Director General (Tourism), Devesh Chaturvedi and the Syrian delegation by Director of Tourism Marketing and Development, Bassam Barsik.

"Both sides exchanged views about the investment opportunities in the tourism sector in India," it said.

Further, the meeting discussed the exchange of visits of tour operators and travel media to promote tourism between two countries.

"Both sides agreed to have bilateral exchange of information and list of travel agencies, fairs and tourism related events so as to enable enhanced participation and cooperation from both sides," it added.

There was also emphasis on increasing cooperation especially among the private sector.

It was agreed by both sides to enhance cooperation by developing partnership programmes between leading academic institutions in tourism sector of both countries.

The Syrian side agreed to exchange knowledge and best practices regarding affiliation and certification system concerning the hospitality courses especially with reputed institutions in Britain and Switzerland.