Latakia – The beaches of a city began Latakia in Syria It regains part of its luster, at the beginning of the summer, after years of war and neglect, as a gradual return of life is witnessing its beaches and cafes, with the decline in the security restrictions that were imposed by the previous regime.
The coastal city, which has for decades, is a strategic port and tourist sanctuary, is witnessing today a gradual return of life to its beaches and cafes, with the decline in the security restrictions that were previously imposed.
The Syrians, for the first time in more than 14 years, enjoy the freedom to reach the beaches without barriers or inspections, and the local cafes, which were destroyed or closed during the war, began to open again with the efforts of the city’s youth, and began to show modern designs and local initiatives bearing hopes to revive the city.
Zuwar from inside Syria, and some returnees from expatriates, re -discover the beaches that were a symbol of normal life before the conflict. Ahmed Al Hammadi, a visitor to the coastal beach in the city for the first time in 15 years because of his fear of his arrest from the Assad regime, expresses his joy to see the sea, stressing that the summer is like nothing.
No development
Al -Hammadi says in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net: The beaches have not witnessed development under the Assad regime and that it is the same since its last visit to the Syrian coast, adding that its level has declined with dirty beaches and many waste.
Residents of the city say that tourists have disappeared throughout the war years, because there are cases of kidnapping for each other, and the lives of others of different nationalities ended in detainees without knowing their fate after they were lost in Assad’s prisons.
Lattakia faces great challenges; The infrastructure in some areas is dilapidated, and tourist facilities suffer from a lack of basic services such as electricity and water.
Alaa Al -Sayegh, the owner of a café on the shore of Lattakia, says that most of the owners of the shops were affiliated with either influential figures in the Assad regime, such as Hafez Munther al -Assad, who is responsible for collecting money, or its pranks shared influential officers, and whoever refuses to closed his shop and is imprisoned.
He added in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net that the infrastructure in Lattakia and Tartous and on the beaches are dilapidated, and the state had to establish huge investment projects on the Syrian beaches that generate profits and also benefit the population and owners of commercial projects.
He explained that the beaches need “chalets” with services and facilities to encourage tourists to come, but most hotels and beaches lack the lowest levels of luxury, and do not serve the city as a front for Syrian tourism that receives the summer of millions of visitors to get to know “a bride Syrian coast“.
Despite the pledges of local councils to launch plans to rebuild the tourism sector, these plans face obstacles related to financing and the unstable security situation in the surrounding areas.
An economic worker
These developments reflect deeper social and political transformations in the city after the fall of the previous regime, and tourism is highlighted today as a vital economic factor and a symbol to restore public space.
Lattakia, which has been known for its ports and picturesque nature, seeks to redefine itself as the destination of the Syrians from different regions, despite the challenges that still exist.
Ahmed Al -Shammari, an Arab tourist who came to Latakia recently after entering the summer, said that he was surprised by the miserable situation in the city, stressing that he had hired a room in a hotel for one day for $ 30, but the hotel was without electricity or any kind of services similar to him in prison.
He said in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net: The security situation needs more control in order to encourage tourism in the city. The recent events in the coast have negatively affected, and there is fear of attacks by the remnants of the former regime that affects tourists with the aim of thwarting the efforts of the Syrian state in supporting tourism.
He added that the plans, which he heard about from officials in the Lattakia administration preach goodness, and that there are projects aimed at attracting major investments, and helping the return of Arab and European tourists to the Syrian coast regions.