Sheikh Nayef Al Thani and Walid Hendawi Conduct Site Visit to the Ward Island Resort Project with the Governor of Raqqa
As part of ongoing efforts to advance investment and support project development in Raqqa Governorate, Sheikh Nayef bin Eid Al Thani, representing Qatari Syrian Holding Company, together with Walid Hendawi, Chairman of Kayan Holding Group, Raqqa Governor Abdulrahman Salama, and Majd Sharabji, representing Glory Holding Group, conducted a site visit to the Ward Island Resort Project.
The visit focused on reviewing the project’s development progress, evaluating the site’s natural characteristics, and assessing the masterplan and long-term investment vision.
The visit forms part of the strategic investment partnership between Kayan Holding Group and Qatari Syrian Holding, in coordination with the Raqqa Governorate, within a broader framework aimed at identifying investment priorities, supporting regional development, and aligning new projects with the governorate’s future vision and development objectives.
The visit also provided an opportunity to position Ward Island not merely as a standalone tourism project, but as a strategic development capable of diversifying economic activity and strengthening Raqqa’s attractiveness as a destination for long-term investment.
Ward Island as Part of Raqqa’s Investment Development Strategy
During the site visit, participants reviewed the project’s natural waterfront environment while assessing the proposed masterplan, conceptual designs, and phased development strategy.
The project is planned as an integrated tourism and hospitality destination that leverages the island’s unique natural setting. The development will include accommodation facilities, hospitality services, restaurants, leisure and water-based activities, and landscaped open spaces, all designed to preserve the island’s character while creating a distinctive tourism destination.
Engineering designs and technical details are currently being finalized in preparation for implementation. The project will follow a phased development model that allows individual components to be delivered according to technical priorities, operational requirements, and market demand.
Kayan Holding Group views the Ward Island Resort Project as an opportunity to transform the site’s natural assets into a long-term tourism and investment destination capable of generating new economic activity across the tourism, hospitality, leisure, and service sectors.
Discussing Investment and Development Priorities in Raqqa Governorate
Alongside the review of the Ward Island Resort Project, the visit addressed broader investment opportunities across Raqqa Governorate.
Raqqa Governor Abdulrahman Salama, Walid Hendawi, and Sheikh Nayef Al Thani discussed strategic sectors and projects capable of supporting the governorate’s economic growth over the coming years.
The discussions also covered the Raqqa Regional Planning Project and its role in defining future urban, economic, and service development priorities while guiding investment toward projects aligned with the governorate’s long-term needs and competitive advantages.
The Governor welcomed the growing investment interest in Raqqa and expressed optimism regarding the opportunities available during the coming phase, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation on projects that deliver sustainable economic and developmental value to the governorate.
This approach supports the alignment of investment projects with the governorate’s development strategy while directing investment toward sectors capable of generating lasting economic and social impact.
Ward Island as Part of a Broader Investment Portfolio in Raqqa
Kayan Holding Group views investment in Raqqa Governorate through a comprehensive strategy that extends beyond individual developments by building an integrated portfolio of complementary projects across regional planning, tourism, sports, industry, services, and economic infrastructure.
The Ward Island Resort Project represents one component of this broader investment portfolio, alongside other strategic projects currently being developed by Kayan Holding Group and its partners throughout the governorate.
This reflects the Group’s investment methodology of identifying opportunities, developing strategic assets, establishing the right partnerships, and advancing projects through planning, development, implementation, and long-term operation.
On-Site Engagement Supporting Project Development
The visit reflects Kayan Holding Group’s commitment to direct on-site project monitoring and active engagement with partners and public stakeholders throughout the early stages of project development.
The site tour enabled participants to evaluate the project within its natural setting while reviewing the relationship between site conditions, architectural design, and future operational planning, together with the requirements for subsequent development phases.
This approach demonstrates the shared commitment of Kayan Holding Group and Qatari Syrian Holding to building strategic partnerships centered on tangible, long-term investment assets with sustainable growth potential.
Both parties will continue advancing the Ward Island Resort Project in coordination with Raqqa Governorate and the relevant authorities as part of their broader vision to capitalize on the governorate’s natural and economic assets while strengthening its attractiveness as a destination for long-term investment and high-value development projects.
