Portraying the country as a sun-filled holiday resort with holidaymakers riding jet-skis and enjoying time of packed beaches, this video promoting tourism in Syria has been released on the official Facebook page for...

ALWAYS beautiful? Syrian president releases tourism video showing tranquil beach resort and claims visitor numbers are UP as horrific violence rips country apart Holidaymakers shown sunbathing, swimming and riding jet skis But bizarre facade is a far cry from the harsh reality of life for many Country had endured numerous horrific bomb attacks killing thousands But Ministry of Tourism insist tourism in the country has increased by 30% 

Golden beaches, azure sea and blue skies - it's the perfect tourist destination... were it not in a country ravaged by war and torn apart by Islamic extremists.

The Syrian Ministry of Tourism has released a bizarre promo video bragging about the beauty of the country showing happy, relaxed people having fun at the seaside.

Complete with a pumping soundtrack, drone footage shows people sunbathing, splashing about in the sparkli

The video, posted to Facebook, even ends with the slogan ‘Syria – Always Beautiful’. All in all the picture of the hot spot to visit on your holidays.

However the idyllic scenes painted in the new Assad-backed promo video are a far cry from the brutal reality of life under the President's regime.

While the country undoubtedly boasts much natural beauty, the ongoing battle between government forces, rebel groups and Islamic State has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 470,000 people, with the official number of displaced people calculated to be at least 4.8 million.

Earlier this year Tartus was bombarded by a series of suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State. 

The city of Jableh, north of the coastal town was also struck by three car bombs in a coordinated attack, killing 140 people.However Tartus isn't the only location to be lauded by the ministry, with the Syria Tourism website singing the praises of Palmyra and Latakia.

But many of the former's archaeological sites were destroyed when the city fell under the control of ISIS for a year in 2015 and the port city of Latakia has seen violence as recently as August, when the Syrian Army clashed with Jaish Al-Fateh militant group.

According to the Syrian Center for Policy Research the country has lost in excess of $254 billion since 2010.

But none of this is admitted to in the tourism clip, and nor are the numerous sick beheadings by ISIS fighters and the mass graves which are filled with thousands of bodies scattered throughout the country.

Instead the ministry’s official Facebook insists Syria has undergone a 30 per cent increase in tourism levels - but realistically they might be hard pressed to find eager holidaymakers wishing they were there.