Syria and Lebanon may not have had a lot in common in recent years apart from economic and political turmoil, but they are united in their current aim - to encourage tourists to their respective shores.
Affirming this is hotel management company Rotana, which recently opened a hotel in each country.
Under the patronage of the Lebanese Minister of Tourism Elie Marouni, the four-star Raouché Arjaan by Rotana opened in Beirut in October, 2009, making it the group’s third property in Lebanon.
And in Syria the five-star Afamia Rotana Resort near Latakia, the main port city of Syria on the Mediterranean Sea, had a soft opening in June 2009.
At the latest opening ceremony in the Lebanese capital Nada Sardouk, general director of the Ministry of Tourism, placed much importance on Rotana’s contribution to boosting tourism and economic welfare in the country, specifically in Beirut city.
She said the ministry had appealed to the government to allow legislation that would encourage more investment in hotels in Lebanon and stressed the importance of opening more affordable family-friendly three and four-star hotels as currently 32 per cent of visitors to Lebanon stay with friends and family.
By the end of 2009, the country was expecting to have welcomed two million tourists.
General manager of the new property, Pierre Ghorayeb, was confident it would be well received in Beirut.
“Raouché Arjaan by Rotana’s location in the heart of the city will allow guests to enjoy gorgeous sea views coupled with the energetic atmosphere of one of Beirut’s liveliest quarters – Raouché Boulevard – all the time secure in the knowledge of being in the hands of one of the region’s most respected hospitality groups,” he said.
“We hope that Raouché Arjaan by Rotana will blur the line between hotel apartment and home for our guests through the level of comfort and individual attention offered.”
The hotel caters for business travellers – with two meeting rooms which can accommodate 150 people – and leisure guests including long-staying visitors and families. There are 176 studios and suites with modern amenities and recreational facilities, including a rooftop swimming pool and a health and fitness centre.
Dining options focus on authentic Lebanese cuisine at the Bella Vita Café, overlooking Raouché Boulevard, and the Murjan café and terrace all-day dining venue which offers continental and traditional fare.
There’s plenty to do in Lebanon. A tour of Beirut city reveals much of its troubled past evident from the state of some buildings and the downtown re-development going on, as well as the poignant shrine of Rafik Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon assassinated in 2005.
Famous for its sociable nightlife and cuisine, Beirut also offers walks along the corniche, sunsets at Pigeon Rocks and day trips to Baalbeck, Byblos, Sidon, Jounieh and The Cedars are within easy reach.
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Afamia Rotana Resort |
While Syria’s Latakia area in the west might not be as well-known among tourists as Damascus or Aleppo, there is much rustic charm in the region, added to which is the international five-star Afamia Rotana Resort two km from Latakia city centre.
The hotel is geared for business, leisure and long-staying guests like its sister in Beirut, with the addition of a private sandy beach with a marina, two outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court and children’s club.
There is also a fitness centre with indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna, accommodation is in 246 one, two, three and four-bedroom suites, with amenities including a private terrace, mini bar, IDD and international satellite TV channels.
A conference hall caters for up to 350 people plus there are private meeting rooms which can be variously configured, a ballroom capable of handling 500 people as well as facilities for outdoor conferences and banquets.
Dining is at Al Manara, an all-day international restaurant, Moodz, a lounge bar, Aquarius by the poolside, Café Blue in the main lobby and Breeze near the sea.
Syrian-born general manager Safwan Khayat, said: “It is the resort’s ability to accommodate both leisure guests and Mice business, from not just the region but from around the world, in consummate style and comfort, which will ensure our dedication to making Afamia Rotana Resort the number one holiday destination.”
Although the Afamia Rotana Resort is a destination in itself, it is well worth visiting some of Syria’s best historical sites within fair reach of the hotel including the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit in Ras Shamra.
Other Crusader forts and castles and ancient Roman vestiges are dotted around the country.
In tiny villages such as Kassab in the cool mountains visitors will find shops selling high- quality Laurel and other olive oil based soaps. On the edge of one of a series of picturesque lakes is the Royal Palace Hotel serving a terrific assortment of Syrian specialty dishes.
Both countries claim to be the birthplace of the first alphabet (Phoenician) in the world – at Byblos in Lebanon and Ugarit in Syria – and neither is wrong, it’s just a bit complicated.
Visitors interested in local cuisine and history would do well to combine a trip to both destinations.
Though the cross-border formalities between the two countries can be disorganised, there is still much to learn on both sides of the border and savvy travellers who realise it takes time to build up an efficient system would do well to explore these upcoming Middle Eastern tourism destinations.
by Cheryl Mandy