The summer tourism season for 2026 in Homs Governorate recorded a 40 percent increase in the number of guests at accommodation facilities compared to last year, bringing the total number of guests to 26,494, according to Homs Director of Tourism Nizar Al-Tall.
Al-Tall clarified, in a statement to a SANA correspondent today, Saturday, that the number of operational tourism facilities in the governorate reached 201, including 181 catering facilities and 20 accommodation facilities. He noted the opening of six catering facilities and two accommodation facilities during the current year, alongside two projects awaiting licensing.
For his part, Al-Tall pointed out that the number of visitors to Krak des Chevaliers reached 23,285, while catering facilities achieved nearly full occupancy rates during the season, particularly in the Wadi Al-Nasara area during the Transfiguration and Our Lady feasts last August. He noted that the tourism sector provided 1,450 job opportunities in the Western countryside during the season.
He added that the number of workers in tourism facilities in the governorate reached 2,567, noting that the most prominent challenges faced by the sector included rising operational costs, declining purchasing power of local tourists, weak infrastructure and accompanying services, in addition to the seasonal nature of tourism activity.
For her part, Dana Malouhi, an administrator at one of the resorts in Marmarita, described the summer season as one of the most successful seasons the region has witnessed in recent years, pointing to the large influx to Wadi Al-Nadara, which encouraged the resort management to expand the project and add new blocks.
For his part, Fadi Habib, a cafeteria owner, stated that the season witnessed greater interest than expected, with visitors coming from various governorates, considering it better than previous seasons and noting that it did not face significant challenges at his facility.
For his part, Jamil Salait, the executive director of one of the hotels in Wadi Al-Nadara, described the season as very acceptable, with a noticeable improvement in tourism movement compared to last year, noting the presence of service challenges in the area, particularly regarding the supply of fuels and waste disposal.
Regarding the upcoming phase, the Director of Tourism clarified that the directorate is working on preparing studies for tourism development areas and launching new sites for investment, encouraging investors to establish projects in Homs city, the Western countryside, and Tadmur, in addition to developing entertainment and adventure tourism and launching new tourism products.
He indicated the existence of plans to restore Homs Castle and rehabilitate its surroundings, transforming them into a cultural tourism route linking the castle to heritage markets and old neighborhoods, as well as proposing the establishment of a hub for the handicrafts the governorate is famous for.
Homs Governorate witnessed active investment and tourism movement, reflected in laying the foundation stone and launching a number of developmental and commercial projects supporting the tourism sector, including "Avenue Homs," "Victory Park and Boulevard," and the Peace Mall project.
Addressing service challenges, developing tourism products, and expanding investments remain among the most prominent factors that can contribute to sustaining tourism movement in Homs and enhancing the sector's role in supporting the local economy and providing job opportunities.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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