Tour companies are weighing-up resuming trips to Syria, as Turkish Airlines will become the latest major international carrier to resume flights to the country this week.
Earlier this month Qatar Airways started flying to Damascus, as the country tries to find its feet again in the post-Assad era.
It has been 13 years since a Turkish Airlines flight landed in the Syrian capital, but from 23rd January, 3 flights a week will arrive from Istanbul, following meetings between the Turkish and Syrian governments. Royal Jordanian will also recommence its services at the end of the month.
Syria was once a popular visitor destination, drawing more than 10 million visitors at its peak in 2010, with the country blessed with fascinating ancient history, a variety of beautiful landscapes, vibrant cities, tasty food and a warmth in its hospitality.
For adventure travel companies, such as Untamed Borders, eyes are very much on the nation, as they try to understand the changing security situation, with the country coming out the darkness after years of war and authoritarian rule.
The company began organising both group and private trips to Syria in 2017, initially focused on a small area around the wider Damascus region. However, as the situation changed further north, Untamed Borders also visited the likes of Palmyra, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, the Crusader Fort of Krak des Chevaliers and Maaloula on trips.
Last year it pressed paused on its operations in Syria due to the growing instability, culminating in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, but it’s now drawing up plans to hopefully resume its work in the nation.
Founder of the company, James Willcox, says direct international flight connections to Syria is certainly a positive step in the right direction:
“If Syria continues to move forward with a stable trajectory and if/when international travel advisories, such as those issued by the FCDO, are eased, we anticipate a significant increase in tourism to the country.
Coupling the improving security situation, alongside having improved international flight connections, is only likely to further the interest from potential visitors – some who previously may have been hesitant to visit the nation.
We certainly view this a positive sign of change, both for Syria’s recovery and for fostering a renewed interest in the country, which has a fascinating array of attractions for visitors.
We are in regular contact with our local teams, and our wider network, to get a better understanding of the security situation and risk level at the moment.
We hope to be resuming trips to Syria in the not-too-distant future and hope more tourists seize the opportunity and seek out an adventure in a wonderful nation.”
There is hope this is a sign of wider stability in the region, with a ceasefire agreed between Israel and Palestine last week, along with a cooling of tensions in Iraq and a subsequent increase in tourism.