Damascus, Jan. 6 (SANA) Minister of Tourism Mazen al-Salhani on Monday inaugurated the five-star Khan Suleiman Pasha Hotel in Damascus Old City following a meticulous restoration of the historic building.
The hotel features 25 guest rooms and two suites, blending traditional Damascene architectural elements—such as stone arches and inner courtyards—with modern amenities to offer guests an experience that combines authenticity and contemporary comfort.
Heritage Tourism Vision
In a statement to SANA at the ceremony, which was attended by Ministers of Economy, Communications as well as several ambassadors, al-Salhani said the project falls within a national vision to support heritage-based tourism, not only as a means of preservation but as an active component of the tourism and economic cycle.
He added that UNESCO committees praised the implementation standards, particularly the use of traditional restoration materials such as lime-based mortar instead of cement, which preserves the integrity and authenticity of the stone structure.
Economic Impact
Al-Salhani pointed out that the project has had a tangible economic and social impact on the Old City, creating job opportunities during the restoration phase—most of them for Damascene craftsmen—and relying on locally sourced materials for approximately 90 percent of its components, including marble, textiles, and carpets.
Located on historic Medhat Pasha Street, Khan Suleiman Pasha is one of the most prominent examples of Ottoman architecture in Damascus and among the last remaining Ottoman caravanserais in the city. Nearly 80 percent of the original stonework was preserved using modern conservation techniques that ensure wall ventilation and moisture regulation.
The hotel is owned by Damascus Governorate and was developed through an investment partnership with the private sector, represented by the Wahoud Group, in line with the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to repurpose heritage buildings while preserving their architectural value and ensuring sustainable tourism use in Old Damascus.
