As Syria enters a new phase of international openness following the lifting of sanctions, the Syrian government must establish clear priorities that reflect the state’s actual economic readiness
At the forefront of these priorities comes the hospitality and hotel sector, not merely as a commercial service, but as a pivotal element in attracting investment and convincing capital to come and assess opportunities on the ground
The investor, before making their decision, needs field visits, business meetings, and safe, professional accommodation facilities
Therefore, investing in modernizing hotel infrastructure is a swift and necessary step to create a positive first impression that later translates into real projects and opportunities
Urgent Priority: Modernization, Not Establishment
At this stage, there is no time to build new hotels from scratch — despite their long-term importance
However, what can be achieved immediately is modernizing and upgrading two- and three-star hotels, which constitute a large percentage of Syria’s hotel sector
Upgrading these hotels’ classification through improved service and facilities should be a clear and urgent priority
:The government can
establish mandatory renovation programs for geographically selected hotels
provide these upgrades through subsidized government loans to be repaid later from operational profits
adopt a new classification mechanism linked to actual service quality, not just infrastructure alone
Why the hotel sector?
Because it is the first facade seen by investors and visitors
Because it gives an impression of readiness and professionalism
Because it contributes to building confidence in the investment climate
Building trust begins with details, and the hotel sector is one of the most prominent details that reflect the state’s reality and seriousness in the coming phase
