Syria Tourism Minister Announces Plan to Reactivate Facilities Idle Since 2006

Reactivating Dormant Tourism Facilities

Syria's Minister of Tourism, Mazen Al-Salahani, announced that the ministry has begun engaging investors with the aim of reactivating hotels and tourism facilities, both public and private, that have been inactive since 2006. The minister made these remarks during a panel discussion held as part of the First National Conference for Syrian Private Sector Dialogue 2026.

Free Training Programs and Capacity Building

The minister stated that the ministry has launched free training courses through the Hotel Institute, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. A total of 1,000 free scholarships have been allocated to qualify and upskill workers in the tourism sector, with the goal of raising service standards and strengthening human capital.

Community Tourism and Local Development

Al-Salahani noted that the ministry is working with local communities across various governorates to implement community tourism initiatives. This approach is driven by the recognized role of community-based tourism in supporting local development and stimulating regional economies.

Launch of the Tourism Police Force

The minister announced the establishment of a dedicated Tourism Police force, launched in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. Units have been deployed across different regions of Syria to enhance visitor security and foster a safer environment for tourists.

Context: National Private Sector Conference

The First National Conference for Syrian Private Sector Dialogue 2026 opened in Damascus, bringing together government representatives, economic stakeholders, and business figures from inside and outside Syria. The conference is organized by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the Government of Japan, and addresses economic recovery, the business environment, and investment promotion.

Notably, this is the first edition of the conference to be held inside Syria, following seven previous sessions convened abroad, reflecting a deliberate shift toward anchoring economic dialogue within the country and aligning it with current development priorities.