{
  "id": 5610828,
  "title": "Syria has received many visitors since the civil war ended – but what it really wants is tourists",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/syria-has-received-many-visitors-since-the-civil-war-ended-but-what",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/04/syria-tourism-what-next-foreign-tourists-hotels-payments-bookings/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since the civil war concluded in Syria, the nation has attracted numerous visitors, but its ultimate aspiration lies in welcoming tourists. Mourhaf Nazha, head of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Tourism, oversees family-owned hotel businesses that faced minimal customer activity during the conflict. Nazha explains that only a few business clients from Aleppo or Homs visited their Golden Mazzeh hotel in west Damascus, which was undergoing renovation to open a landmark hotel, the Royal Semiramis. The Semiramis, near the Ottoman-era Hejaz railway station, opened several months after Assad's regime fell in December 2024 and is now bustling with visitors, including business executives and Syrian expatriates who have returned to explore their homeland. Room occupancy at the Semiramis is at 50%, while Golden Mazzeh boasts a 70% occupancy rate. Despite the presence of some restrictions, the government under President Ahmad Al Shara has marketed itself as business-friendly. Nevertheless, tourist numbers remain low, especially from the Gulf and Western countries who were the main attractions before the civil war in 2011. Syria possesses numerous historical cities, religious sites, Crusader castles, beaches, forests, deserts, and the Euphrates River, all known for their historical significance and natural beauty. The country's art scene is also highly regarded in the Middle East, and it once attracted many who wished to study Arabic. However, persistent violence, infrastructure damage, and crime have hindered tourism in Syria. Many hotels have closed or been destroyed, leaving only a mere 5,000 hotel rooms in the country, with a need for 20,000 in the medium-term to accommodate the anticipated influx of tourists. The government has initiated projects to restore electricity and upgrade transport and communication networks, with a new terminal at Damascus airport expected to be completed this year. The hospitality sector relies heavily on foreign tourists seeking business opportunities or considering returning to Syria permanently. While security concerns persist, Nazha believes that improving stability will facilitate the return of tourists. The recent lifting of sanctions on the US allows hotels to take reservations and process payments online, and the lifting of restrictions on Google Maps and booking apps will further enhance accessibility. Despite ongoing challenges, Nazha remains optimistic, stating that Syria's transformation post-liberation has eliminated corruption as an investment barrier.",
  "summary": "Mourhaf Nazha cut a lonely figure at his family's hotel business during the civil war. Few customers were staying at their Golden Mazzeh hotel in west Damascus as renovation was under way to open another, the landmark Royal Semiramis in the centre of the city. “We had the odd business customer from Aleppo or Homs, but that was it,” says Mr Nazha, who presides over the Federation of Syrian…",
  "key_points": [
    "Syria attracted many visitors post-civil war but seeks to become a tourist destination.",
    "Royal Semiramis hotel near Hejaz railway station is now bustling with visitors.",
    "Government marketing as business-friendly but tourist numbers remain low."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Syria has received many visitors since the civil war ended – but what it really wants is tourists",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/syria-has-received-many-visitors-since-the-civil-war-ended-but-what-5613543",
        "published": "2026-09-04T18:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}