Palmyra awaits its visitors... and the son of the famous “city guard” calls for investment in it

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The Syrian city of Palmyra is gradually, albeit slowly, regaining its tourism activity after years of war, while the damage to the ancient city continues to hinder the resumption of excavation and restoration work that had stopped after the outbreak of the conflict in 2011, which ended with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late December 2024.

The city located in central Syria, which has a prominent historical and archaeological status, has witnessed a timid return of visitors and tourists since the overthrow of the previous regime. Tourist movement is still limited, and is mostly focused on domestic tourism and university students.

Meanwhile, Tariq Khaled Al-Asaad, owner of the historic and archaeological Zenobia Hotel, told Al-Arabiya.net/Al-Hadath.net that the tourist activity in Palmyra is good, indicating the availability of safety in the city. He called on foreign companies to invest in the tourism sector in Palmyra.

The son of the famous archaeologist Khaled Al-Asaad, who was known as the “Guardian of the City,” also added that the numbers of tourists are still limited and do not compare to the levels they were in previous years. He pointed out that the movement is mostly focused on domestic tourism, while foreign tourists in the city can be counted on the fingers of one hand, according to him.

In addition, Al-Asaad, whose father was executed by ISIS in 2015, pointed out that his father, who refused to leave Palmyra during the years of war, sacrificed his life in defense of the world’s heritage and patrimony, calling for renewed attention to the city and strengthening efforts aimed at preserving its historical and archaeological heritage.

For centuries, Palmyra was a major station on ancient trade routes. The ancient city includes temples, a theatre, columns, ancient streets, and cemeteries, in addition to the Palmyra Oasis, which is linked to the historical landscape of the city.

Meanwhile, UNESCO included the Palmyra site on the World Heritage List in 1980, before it was later placed on the World Heritage in Danger List due to the repercussions of the war and the damage to the site.

Parts of the archaeological site were subjected to damage and destruction during the years of conflict, while UNESCO reports indicated the continued need for extensive documentation, evaluation and restoration work. Current recovery work includes preparing plans to rehabilitate a number of landmarks and improving visitor reception facilities, in addition to developing plans for managing and protecting the site.

In the latest recovery plans, the planned works included three-dimensional documentation of some monuments, an assessment of damage in the cemeteries, in addition to projects to rehabilitate the National Museum in Palmyra, the visitor reception center, and other facilities related to the archaeological site.

The plans also included improving visitor management and linking the site to the economic and social life of the city and the surrounding area.

A source in the Directorate of Culture in Homs Governorate, to which the city of Palmyra belongs, said that the city is witnessing student tours, in addition to periodic tours organized by tourism rehabilitation centers. He added that one of the student tours taking place in Palmyra represents the first of its kind since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime several months ago, at a time when tourism and educational activity continues to return to the city.

As for excavation work, the source stressed that the damage caused by the war may require years before archaeological excavation missions obtain the necessary permits to resume their work in Palmyra.

The challenges facing the site are not limited to damage resulting from war, as UNESCO also pointed out the risks associated with illegal excavation, the deterioration of some stone elements, and the lack of funding for urgent conservation work.

The organization also confirmed that restoration work requires detailed studies, documentation, and structural evaluation before carrying out reconstruction operations, to preserve the site’s authenticity and historical value.

Palmyra continues attempts to restore its tourist status, at a time when the resumption of excavation and restoration work represents a major challenge to reviving the city and preserving its archaeological heritage, while UNESCO still keeps the Palmyra site on the list of World Heritage in Danger.