“Accor” in advanced talks for two projects, “Wyndham” nears first signing: global hotel giants target Syria
From Old Damascus to the Latakia coast, the eyes of the world’s largest hotel groups are turning toward Syria.
A Reuters report published today revealed that several global and regional hotel groups are considering entering or expanding in the Syrian market, banking on the country’s rich heritage and coastal destinations, and on an expected return of foreign tourists and expatriate Syrians.
The report is based on direct statements from senior executives at these groups — the first time names of this scale have spoken about concrete plans in Syria since the lifting of most Western sanctions.
Accor, Wyndham and Minor: direct executive statements
The French group “Accor” is in “advanced negotiations for two projects” in Syria, Duncan O’Rourke, the group’s CEO for the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, told Reuters.
The American “Wyndham Hotels & Resorts” is exploring sites in Damascus and coastal destinations, with Dimitris Manikis, the group’s president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, saying: “Very soon, I am confident we will announce our first signing in Syria.”
Amir Golbarg, chief operating officer for the Middle East and Africa at “Minor Hotels”, said some buildings in Old Damascus could be converted into boutique hotels, and that new-build projects are also possible, describing Syria as “one of the countries with great potential”.
The report also mentioned that Rotana Group plans to expand in Syria as sanctions ease.
Alabbar: Damascus is the oldest city in the world, and Emaar may join
Mohamed Alabbar, founder and chairman of the UAE’s “Eagle Hills”, told Reuters: “Tourists will always come because Damascus is the oldest city in the world,” adding that many expatriate Syrians want to return.
Alabbar revealed that “Emaar”, which is working on a separate development project in Damascus, may also participate in Eagle Hills’ two projects — “Tadamun Towers” in Damascus and “Eco Life” in Latakia — whose framework agreement was signed last Monday in the presence of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, worth billions of dollars.
Numbers backing the bet: tourism and aviation
- 3.52 million visitors to Syria in the first half of 2026 (SANA citing government data — more than double last year)
- 2.13 million expatriate Syrians
- 660,000 from Arab countries
- 720,000 from other countries
- 2 hotel projects Accor is negotiating in Syria
- From 4 to 7 weekly flights: Etihad Airways raises its Damascus service to daily
- $216 billion World Bank estimate of reconstruction cost ($75 billion residential, $59 billion non-residential)
Challenges: “tired” stock and limited electronic payments
Despite the optimism, the report acknowledges major challenges: the existing hotel stock is “tired” after long years outside the global network, according to Golbarg, and the country still sees sporadic violence.
Electronic payments also remain limited despite Visa and Mastercard announcing the start of their operations in Syria last month — restricted to specific foreign cards and only in certain locations.
Still, the entry of names the size of Accor, Wyndham and Minor into serious negotiations marks a qualitative shift: after years off the global hospitality map, Syria has become an early competitive ground for hotel projects.
Sources
Reuters (8 October 2026): Hotel groups target Syria as it rebuilds
The National (18 September 2026) — context on Accor’s earlier Syria plans
By: Construction & Investment Prime (CIP)
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