Homs, Aug 14 (SANA)The town ofMarmaritain western Hom’s countryside held a symbolic carnival on Friday to celebrate the Feast of theAssumption of the Virgin Mary, bringing back the festive atmosphere after a nearly two-year hiatus.

The event drew large crowds of residents and visitors from acrossSyriaand abroad, contributing to increased tourism activity in the town.

Tourism Ministry development consultant, Satea Yassin, saidMarmaritais considered as one of the most important tourist hubs in the region and constitutes a prominent attraction, indicating that the occasion contributed to significantly revitalizing the movement of tourist establishments.

Michel Nahri, one of the carnival organizers, said a group of local tourism business owners had revived the event in response to calls from residents and visitors. He noted that this year’s carnival was held on a smaller, symbolic scale, with plans to expand it next year.

Marmarita’s carnival is a nearly 60-year-old tradition held annually on August 14 as part of the Feast of the Assumption celebrations.

It attracts large numbers of expatriates, foreign visitors and tourists, boosting tourism activity in the town.