Syria Today | Time for a Plan

Time for a Plan

From its Crusader castles and Roman ruins to its vast swathes of forests, Syria boasts a wealth and diversity of historic and natural sites that is unrivalled in the region.

Still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, these sites represent a huge tourism potential which the Syrian Government is now working to exploit. In light of dwindling oil reserves, Syria’s tourism sector has the ability to act as a key pillar in the country’s economy, attracting much-needed foreign investment dollars and providing job opportunities. Yet with great fortune comes great responsibility and the move to attract millions of visitors to Syria places the country’s decision makers before important choices.

Indeed, while most government reports sum the ambitious development plans up in quantity – in billions of dollars, millions of visitors and thousands of new hotel beds – little is said about quality. What type of tourism does Syria want to develop? And how will it ensure it does not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs by allowing development to get out of control?

Part of the charm of Syria’s natural and historic sites is that they have not (yet) become themed attractions. However, if the government does not lay out clear plans now, Syria is likely to squander the country’s largest, and most sustainable, source of hard currency, not to mention its unique cultural heritage. That would not only be a tragedy for Syrians, but for world heritage as a whole.

Francesca de Châtel, managing editor