AGP Executive Report

Air Links: Etihad has increased Damascus service to daily, while Aegean is adding Syria to its network. Flydubai has also canceled Dubai–Damascus flights, underscoring how uneven regional connectivity remains. Tourism Investment: Hotel groups are eyeing Syria as it seeks to attract overseas visitors, and UAE developer Eagle Hills has launched projects in Damascus and Latakia. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a major historic site to visitors.

Tourism Investment: UAE developer Eagle Hills has launched projects in Damascus and Latakia as international hotel groups look to enter Syria’s rebuilding tourism market. Air Links: Etihad has increased Damascus service to daily flights, while Aegean plans to add Syria to its network, signaling growing airline interest. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a major historic landmark for visitors.

New Tourism Projects: UAE developer Eagle Hills has signed a framework deal for developments in Damascus and Latakia, including a mixed-use community and a marina destination; preparatory work is expected to begin soon. Travel Demand: Syria has become the top foreign destination for Jordanian tourists as regional tensions unsettle air travel, while Etihad has increased Damascus service to daily flights. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a major historic landmark for visitors. Hospitality: International hotel groups are targeting Syria as the country seeks to attract overseas tourists during its recovery.

Regional Travel Disruption: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was struck again after a deadly attack killed at least 12 people, including a Syrian, and injured hundreds. The airport remains closed, flights are disrupted and travel warnings are in place, adding uncertainty for journeys across the region. Damascus Connections: Etihad has increased its Damascus service to daily, a boost to air links as Syria seeks to attract more visitors. Tourism Recovery: Aleppo’s Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a major historic site to the visitor map. Hotel groups are also eyeing opportunities in Syria, while UAE developer Eagle Hills has signed a framework agreement for residential and tourism communities.

Air Links: Etihad has increased its Damascus service to daily, and Greece’s Aegean plans Athens–Damascus flights. But flydubai has cancelled Dubai–Damascus services, so travellers should check schedules with airlines. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a landmark to the city’s visitor offerings. Tourism Investment: Hotel groups are targeting Syria as it rebuilds, while UAE developer Eagle Hills has signed a framework agreement for residential and tourism communities, including a project in Latakia.

Regional Travel Disruption: A deadly attack shut Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and triggered widespread cancellations. Travelers in the region should check flight status with airlines before heading to airports. Damascus Connections: Etihad has increased its Abu Dhabi–Damascus service to daily, while Aegean has launched Athens–Damascus flights, expanding air links as demand grows. Tourism Investment: Hotel groups are eyeing Syria as it seeks to attract overseas visitors, and UAE developer Eagle Hills has signed agreements for residential and tourism projects, including Latakia’s Eco Life development. Cultural Tourism: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a landmark to the city’s visitor offer.

Air Links: Etihad will increase Abu Dhabi–Damascus flights from four a week to daily on November 14, citing strong demand. Aegean has also announced Athens–Damascus service, widening international access. Tourism Investment: Hotel groups are targeting Syria as it seeks to attract overseas visitors, while UAE developer Eagle Hills has signed a framework deal for residential and tourism projects, including a planned Latakia development. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after more than 13 years, restoring a major site in the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Regional Cooperation: Tourism officials from Jordan and Syria have agreed to pursue closer ties, while Jordan’s tourism minister called for joint Arab routes and easier travel between destinations.

Aleppo Heritage: The 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after more than 13 years, restoring access to a landmark in the city’s UNESCO-listed Old City. Tourism Investment: Hotel groups are eyeing Syria as it seeks to attract overseas visitors, while UAE developer Eagle Hills is advancing residential and tourism projects. Air Links: Etihad has increased Damascus service to daily, and Aegean has launched Athens–Damascus flights, adding connections for visitors. Regional Tourism: Jordanian and Syrian tourism bodies plan closer cooperation, while Syria has hosted the Arab Cycling Championship for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Air Links: Etihad has increased Damascus service to daily as demand grows, while Aegean has launched Athens–Damascus flights, adding options for visitors and the Syrian diaspora. Tourism Investment: Hotel groups are eyeing Syria as it seeks to attract overseas tourists. Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills has signed a framework deal for residential and tourism communities, including a Latakia project expected to create 40,000 jobs. Heritage and Regional Ties: An ancient Christian complex has reopened after 14 years of war and earthquake damage, while tourism bodies in Syria and Jordan have agreed to pursue closer cooperation.

Hotel Investment: Global groups, including Accor, are exploring Syrian hotel opportunities, betting on the country’s history and coastline. Tourist numbers topped 3.5 million in the first half of 2026, mostly visitors from the Syrian diaspora, though bouts of violence and a US travel warning remain hurdles. Air Links: Etihad has increased Damascus service to daily, while Aegean is adding Athens–Damascus flights, improving access for visitors. Tourism Development: UAE developer Eagle Hills has signed a framework deal for residential and tourism communities in Syria. Its Latakia Eco Life project is expected to create 40,000 jobs.

Tourism Investment: International hotel groups, including Accor, are exploring expansion in Syria as tourist numbers more than doubled year on year to 3.52 million in the first half of 2026, mostly visitors from the Syrian diaspora. Security concerns remain, and the US still advises against travel. New Destinations: UAE developer Eagle Hills is advancing residential and tourism projects in Damascus and Latakia, including a coastal marina development, with preparatory work expected to begin soon. Air Links: Etihad will increase Abu Dhabi–Damascus flights to daily from November 14, while Aegean has launched Athens–Damascus service; recent Flydubai cancellations highlight the risk of disruption. Cultural Heritage: An ancient Christian complex has reopened after 14 years, war damage and an earthquake, adding another landmark to Syria’s tourism offering.

Air Links: Aegean Airlines plans to launch Athens–Damascus flights on Dec. 2, with up to four services a week in winter. Flydubai, meanwhile, cancelled Dubai–Damascus flights on Oct. 7, underscoring ongoing disruption on regional routes. Tourism Investment: UAE developer Eagle Hills signed a framework deal for a tourism project in Latakia alongside housing development in Damascus. The projects are expected to create more than 40,000 jobs, with local contractors and suppliers a priority. Heritage & Cooperation: A historic Christian complex has reopened after 14 years closed by war and earthquake damage. Tourism bodies in Syria and Jordan also agreed to pursue closer ties, while a proposal to turn military equipment into an underwater museum off Latakia could add a new coastal attraction.

Investment: Abu Dhabi developer Eagle Hills signed a framework deal for housing in Damascus and a tourism project in Latakia, part of founder Mohamed Alabbar’s wider $18 billion Syria investment plan. Saudi and Syrian business groups are also developing new channels to help Saudi companies enter the Syrian market. Air Links: AEGEAN has launched Athens-Damascus flights, restoring a direct connection that could support visitor travel. Regional Tourism: Tourism bodies in Jordan and Syria have agreed to pursue closer cooperation. Heritage: A historic Christian complex has reopened after 14 years of war and earthquake damage, while a proposed underwater museum off Latakia would turn military equipment into a marine attraction.

Aviation & Security: Reports say Flydubai co-pilot Hamam Al Hammami, accused in a 9/11-style plot against an Israel-bound flight, learned to fly in Britain and trained with an England-based airline academy, as investigators continue to probe his extremist trail and Syria links. Tourism & Business: Eagle Hills signed a framework agreement with Syria’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing to develop residential and tourism communities starting with “Damascus Heights” and “Latakia Yachts & Marina,” aiming to build hospitality, leisure and jobs. Local Safety: Syrian security forces deployed in Tartous countryside after a shooting during an operation to pursue a wanted man, leaving multiple casualties as authorities investigate. Road & Travel Risk: An inquest is set for Oct. 13 after a fatal pedestrian crash on Oxfordshire’s A4142 Eastern Bypass, with an arrested driver later released and the case passed to the coroner. Economy for Travelers: The World Bank cut its 2026 Middle East growth forecast, citing the Iran-linked Hormuz disruption and warning of tourism and logistics setbacks, with fuel price spikes including in Syria. Sports Travel: Sulaibikhat’s club team was drawn for the Arab Basketball Championship in Beirut, with travel planned for the tournament opener.

Real-Estate & Tourism Investment: Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills signed a framework agreement with Syria’s ministries to launch major residential and tourism projects, starting with Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina, aiming to boost jobs and create new hospitality and waterfront destinations. Regional Economy & Travel Demand: The World Bank cut its 2026 forecast for Middle East growth, saying the region’s GDP will contract by 2.1% as the Iran war strains energy supplies—bad news for tourism, aviation, and logistics. Security & Border Tension: Reports say Syrians have tested Israeli defenses near the border, with IDF incidents involving people approaching military posts raising alert levels. Local Safety for Visitors: Gunmen attacked the Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama, smashing shops and firing on residents, while authorities reportedly arrested local defenders—another reminder that travel planning needs extra caution.

Aviation & Security: Israel says an Omani co-pilot accused in the attempted Flydubai crash planned to target Ben Gurion Airport, with reports describing months of preparation and a 9/11-style approach; Shin Bet officials are now in the UAE to interrogate him as investigators widen checks on his travel links and possible contacts. Border Tensions: IDF forces killed a 22-year-old Palestinian after he approached an outpost in southern Syria’s buffer zone; separate incidents near the border have raised alert levels. Cost of Living Unrest: Fuel price hikes are sparking protests across Syria, with analysts warning the pressure could strain support for the new government and complicate integration in the northeast. Religious Community Safety: Gunmen attacked the Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama countryside, smashing shops and wounding a woman; reports say security forces allowed attackers through checkpoints and later arrested local defenders. Tourism & Investment: Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills signed deals for major residential and tourism projects in Damascus (Tadamun Towers) and Latakia (Eco Life), aiming to create tens of thousands of jobs. Sports Tourism: The Arab Cycling Championship returns to Syria after nearly 20 years, with races across Damascus and nearby areas running through mid-October.