Born in Damascus in 1979, Mazen al-Salhani is a seasoned hospitality and tourism executive who transitioned to public service in 2025. He holds a postgraduate diploma in business administration from Great Lakes College of Science and Technology in Ontario, Canada, and according to additional sources, also holds a Master of Science in Project Management from West Cliff University in California.
Al-Salhani had chaired the boards of several companies and managed or helped establish many tourism and commercial projects in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Algeria, and Syria. His major projects included the Salwa Resort, Mall of Qatar, Bentley Hotel, and hotels from global brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and Sheraton. He has also been involved in establishing Jiwana Island, Anantara Resort, The Ned, LXR hotels, and international projects including Astoria in the Maldives, the Water City of Al-Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia, and the Palm Bay Complex in Syria.
Al-Salhani was appointed Minister of Tourism on 29 March 2025 as part of the Syrian transitional government formed after the fall of the Assad regime. Prior to focusing solely on the Tourism Ministry, he had chaired the Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund. In his first remarks after assuming office, al-Salhani said the ministry's vision was to transform Syria into a global tourism destination.
Career history
- Minister of Tourism, Syria (March 2025–present)
- Chairman, Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund (2025–2026)
- Board Chairman and Project Developer for multiple international hospitality and commercial ventures (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Algeria, Syria)
What al-Salhani could bring to the Minister of Tourism role: His extensive track record managing major hotel brands and resort developments across the Middle East and North Africa, combined with his understanding of project management and financial oversight from the Sovereign Wealth Fund chairmanship, positions him to drive infrastructure modernization, attract international investment, and rebuild Syria's tourism sector post-conflict.
Facts compiled by Executive Moves from publicly available news and press releases on 19 October 2026. Spotted an inaccuracy? Email us and we'll review within 1 business day.
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