Al-Mashtayeh town in Homs countryside is a candidate for an international competition to choose the best tourist town

The Ministry of Tourism has chosen the town of Al-Mashtaya, located at the slopes of Al-Sayeh Mount in the western countryside of Homs, as the best Syrian tourist town to enter a competition organized by the United Nations worldwide in this field.

The director of Homs Tourism, Malak Abbas said that the town had been nominated to the World Tourism Organization to participate in the competition for the best tourist town in the world, due to its multiple tourist attractions and factors, the most important of which is its embrace of Christian monasteries in the Middle East, “The Monastery of Saint George al-Humaira,” which dates back to the sixth century AD and is considered a tourist, religious and historical attraction, in addition to the town’s view overlooking Krak de Chevalier, one of the most important archaeological monuments in Syria, in addition to the town’s richness in picturesque landscapes with abundant springs, the most important of which is the Fawar spring, which contributed to the establishment of dozens of restaurants, rest houses, hotels, cafes and other tourism promotion requirements.

Abbas indicated that the recreational and promotional activities such as the popular parties and religious and social rituals that Al-Mashtayeh town witnesses throughout the year, in addition to the support provided to it by the residents and expatriates, helped in choosing this beautiful town in the hope that it would win the award.

Mayor of Al Mashtaia Municipality, Eng. Hassan Salibi, pointed out that this town has witnessed various commercial and tourism activities since its inception thanks to its important geographical location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes that mediate the cities and rural centers of the ancient kingdoms, in addition to its location on one of the slopes of Jabal al-Sayeh, which is rich in its natural landscapes, forests and springs, pointing out that tourism has flourished there with the establishment of many hotels, restaurants, markets and tourism industries.

Salibi explained that the town of Al-Mashtaia is a center for religious tourism, as it witnesses throughout the year religious events, camps and trips, in addition to musical, theatrical and scouting groups.

NR