In a move that carries tourism and social connotations, the Damascus Governorate, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, launched the "Qasioun Journey" project, with the aim of transforming Mount Qasioun into an open entertainment destination after years of closure.
The opening ceremony took place yesterday evening at the Opera House in Damascus, in the presence of high-level ministers, governors and ambassadors, to reveal the details of the project, which is counted on to be an engine for tourism and cultural development in the capital.
Development Vision and Community Partnership
Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi stressed during the opening that the project goes beyond the entertainment dimension to be a combination of economy, culture and social services.
Idlibi explained that the new vision puts the citizen at the center, as the mountain has been transformed from a closed strategic area that was historically used for military actions against the city during previous eras, to a platform for community participation, stressing the adoption of digital transparency in offering investment opportunities to ensure justice.
Free services and modern facilities
One of the highlights of the project is that 70% of its services will be available free of charge, including pedestrian paths, public sessions, and a "Innovation Avenue" dedicated to youth and handicrafts. The project also pays special attention to people with disabilities through fully prepared paths, in addition to an integrated infrastructure that includes new sewage and electricity networks, a cultural amphitheater, and medical emergency points to ensure the sustainability of the site.
Sightseeing & Public Walking
The project extends from the "Al-Araba" area to a seven-star hotel, and includes a radical transformation in traffic, as the main street of Qasioun will be transformed into a public walkway that is not allowed to be entered except during limited hours.
The project will feature unique landmarks such as the Bridge of Memories with its panoramic view, the Heritage Fund of the Evening, and the Kingdom of Bees, as well as visitor spaces, specialized flower gardens and nature's embraces.
Youth empowerment and job creation
The project seeks to achieve an economic leap by providing more than 7000 job opportunities, and hundreds of opportunities for small and medium enterprises. For his part, Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani pointed to the provision of shops with symbolic rents to support graduates and entrepreneurs, stressing that the implementation of the project was carried out with "Syrian hands only" and national competencies, which reflects self-reliance in building strategic projects.
Future Prospects and Opening Date
According to the announced timelines, most of the project's hubs are expected to be officially opened by the end of summer 2026. The move, which is being directly monitored by the political leadership, comes as part of the priority of improving infrastructure and repatriating the displaced, restoring Damascus to its tourist face as the capital of beauty and history, and turning the page on years of neglect and military employment of the mountain.