Syria signs deal for five-star hotel and largest mall development in Damascus

Tourism authorities in Syria have moved forward with a major hospitality and retail investment in the capital, as contractual arrangements were finalised for an integrated development in central Damascus.

The project is positioned as a flagship public-private partnership aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and attracting private capital.

The Syrian Ministry of Tourism announced the completion of contractual arrangements with Rotana Star Contracting and Westfield Sons, paving the way for implementation in the Kafr Sousa district.

Syria five-star hotel and largest mall in Damascus

The development will be delivered as a large-scale mixed-use destination, designed as an integrated urban hub combining hospitality, retail, and services.

It includes a five-star hotel, formerly known as Mövenpick, alongside Mall Alarab, which is set to become the largest commercial and service mall in Damascus.

In addition to hotel accommodation and retail space, the project will feature dedicated leisure areas and supporting services, with the aim of enhancing visitor experience and functional integration.

Planning and design follow modern urban and architectural standards, and the development will be operated by an international hotel management company to ensure global service benchmarks and a high-quality guest experience.

Located in the heart of Damascus, the project aligns with the Ministry’s strategy to expand hotel capacity, improve visitor experience, and stimulate tourism-driven economic activity.

Officials said it supports the capital’s positioning as a competitive urban tourism destination within approved regulatory frameworks.

Syrian government support

Mazen Al Salhani, Syria Minister of Tourism, said: “At the Ministry of Tourism, we remain committed to advancing our policy of attracting high-quality tourism investments and providing a supportive regulatory environment that ensures execution excellence and operational sustainability.

“This project reflects our vision to deliver integrated tourism developments that meet international standards and reinforce Damascus’s position as a tourism and investment destination through effective public-private partnerships.”

Yusuf Senkeri, Co-Founder and Director of Westfield Sons, said: “We view this project as a long-term investment opportunity and are committed to delivering it in line with global best practices in development and operations.

“This partnership reflects mutual trust with public authorities and aims to create a fully integrated project that adds tangible value to the tourism sector, enhances hospitality and commercial services, and supports Damascus’s long-term investment landscape.”

Moaaz Alkafri, Founder of Rotana Star, said: “We are working in close coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure delivery in accordance with the approved timeline. Our focus at this stage is on attracting international hospitality and retail brands, building a fully integrated destination that reflects international quality standards and delivers a distinctive shopping and leisure experience for both residents and visitors.”

Phased development

The project will be implemented under an approved phased development schedule, allowing partial operation of completed components where feasible.

This approach is intended to accelerate economic returns while preserving overall project integrity.

The development is being executed on land owned by Damascus Governorate, under a structured investment agreement that reinforces public-private partnership principles and supports the optimal use of public assets in pursuit of sustainable tourism and economic development.