Ward Island Tourist Resort Project

The Ward Island Resort Project is a concept for the development of a premium investment tourism destination on a private island surrounded by water in Raqqa Governorate, covering an indicative site area of approximately 418,700 m².

Project Overview

The Ward Island Tourist Resort Project aims to develop an integrated hospitality, leisure, and wellness destination in the Tabqa area of Raqqa Governorate, opposite Jaabar Castle, across an estimated site area of approximately 418,700 square metres.

The development concept seeks to capitalize on the island’s natural setting and waterfront views to create a tourism experience combining accommodation, dining, water-based activities, family entertainment, and wellness facilities, while preserving the site’s open spaces and natural character.

Kayan Holding Group is developing the project in coordination with its partners and the relevant authorities through the preparation of studies and plans and the development of an investment and operating model that combines high-quality development with operational efficiency and the potential for phased implementation.

Project Roles

Kayan Holding Group leads the investment and development of the Ward Island Project, including advancing the project from planning and development toward implementation and establishing the investment and operating partnerships required to develop its various components.

Glory Holding Group and the Qatari Syrian Holding Company participate as project partners, while Raqqa Governorate and the Syrian Investment Agency – Raqqa Branch represent the relevant government entities associated with the project.

This structure reflects Kayan’s approach to project development by combining investment and development leadership, strategic partnerships, institutional coordination with government entities, and the engagement of specialized expertise and operators.

Investment Metrics

Investment Size:

20M USD

Project Sector:

Tourism & Leisure

Project location:

Opposite Jaabar Castle, Raqqa, Syria

Investment Type:

Investment Partnership

Expected ROI:

Provided Upon Request.

Project Status:

Under Development

Investment & Development Lead:

Kayan Holding Group

Executing Entity:

Kayan Holding Group – Glory Holding Group

Partner Entities:

Glory Holding Group – Qatari Syrian Holding Company

Government Entities:

Raqqa City Council

Project Objectives

The project aims to:

Develop a tourist resort that capitalizes on the island’s natural setting and its location opposite Jaabar Castle.
Diversify the accommodation, hospitality, and leisure offerings available in Raqqa Governorate.
Provide activities for families and visitors combining recreation, sports, and water-based experiences.
Preserve the site’s natural character and adopt a carefully planned, low-density development approach.
Create direct and indirect employment opportunities and support local suppliers and service providers.
Establish development phases capable of operating independently based on study findings and market demand.

Project Scope and Components

The initial development concept includes the following components, with their final scale and capacities to be determined through the relevant studies and the approved master plan:

Accommodation & Hospitality
A hotel, hospitality facilities, villas, and tourist chalets distributed across the site in a manner that responds to its natural setting while providing privacy and maximizing waterfront views.
Waterfront & Recreational Activities
Swimming pools, beach areas, docks, and a limited-capacity marina, together with kayaking and other water-based recreational activities, subject to site suitability and the required regulatory approvals.
Wellness & Recreation
A wellness and spa facility offering relaxation, personal care, and hydrotherapy services, together with dedicated spaces for yoga and meditation.
Dining & Events
Restaurants, cafés, hospitality lounges, and waterfront terraces, in addition to spaces dedicated to events and tourism experiences.
Family Entertainment & Sports
Children’s areas, sports facilities, walking and running trails, and landscaped and open spaces.
Access & Infrastructure
Solutions for safe access to the island and the reception and transportation of visitors, together with organized circulation for service and emergency operations. The project also includes energy, water, wastewater, and telecommunications networks, as well as water and waste treatment systems and facilities for operations and maintenance.

Why Invest in This Project?

The investment appeal of the Ward Island Tourist Resort Project is driven by the combination of several elements within a single development opportunity:

Distinctive Natural Location
An island covering approximately 418,700 square metres and surrounded by water, providing the project with a distinctive sense of place and significant potential to create a differentiated tourism experience.

Diverse Mix of Uses
The development concept combines accommodation, hospitality, leisure, water-based activities, wellness, dining, and supporting services, allowing for the creation of an integrated tourism ecosystem rather than a standalone facility.

Potential for Multiple Operating Models
The diversity of project components creates opportunities for the participation of specialized operators, investors, and service providers across hospitality, leisure, food and beverage, and tourism activities.

Progress in Project Readiness
The project has progressed beyond the initial concept stage. The required licenses and commencement order have been obtained, while engineering plans are being completed in preparation for implementation.

Potential for Phased Expansion
The low-density development approach allows additional accommodation units and services to be introduced progressively without requiring the entire project to be completed from the outset.

Current Readiness

The project is currently under study and development. Key priorities include confirming site information and access rights, preparing the functional program and master plan, and completing the required technical, environmental, and financial studies.

The implementation program and operating phases will be determined following the approval of the project components and plans and the completion of the necessary contractual and regulatory requirements.

Project Completed

Investment Opportunity

The Ward Island Tourist Resort Project provides a platform for developing investment and operating partnerships across the resort’s various components, including hospitality and accommodation, restaurants and cafés, recreational facilities, water-based activities, wellness facilities, and tourism and operational services.

As the project advances through regulatory procedures and the engineering plans are completed, appropriate participation models can be evaluated for each component in collaboration with investors, operators, and specialized partners, in accordance with the project’s approved investment and operating structure.

The project offers opportunities for:

Phased operation and the potential generation of early-stage revenues.
Expansion of accommodation units and services in line with demand.
Development of membership programs, events, and private rentals.
Building a tourism brand with the potential for future expansion.

For more details and inofrmation

Conclusion

The Ward Island Tourist Resort Project represents an opportunity to develop a destination that capitalizes on the island’s natural characteristics and its location opposite Jaabar Castle, bringing together hospitality, leisure, and wellness within an environment that preserves the identity and natural character of the site.

Kayan’s vision for the project is based on a carefully planned development approach that balances the quality of facilities, operational efficiency, and environmental protection, while building investment and operating partnerships that contribute to stimulating tourism, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing the economic value of the site.