HOSH AL-SYRIAN GUESTHOUSE IN BETHLEHEM WINS 2018 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARD FOR HOTELS

Bethlehem, Palestine– 27th of January, 2018 – The Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse today announced it has been recognized as the winner in the  B&Bs and Inns  category of the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® awards for Hotels, ranking 6th out of 25 from the Middle East.

Travelers’ Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. The award is based on numerous standards such as the quality of service, the amenities and the atmosphere of the winning properties.

The Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse, in the heart of the Old City of Bethlehem, is a Bethlehem Municipality project. The historic building was renovated between 2011 and 2013 for reuse as a guesthouse. This municipal project was achieved with the support of the Italian government through the Palestinian Municipalities Support Project and executed by the Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation.

“This year’s Travelers’ Choice awards for Hotels recognize thousands of exceptional accommodations that received the highest marks for overall experience, including service, amenities, and value, from travelers worldwide,” said Brooke Ferencsik, senior director of communications at TripAdvisor. “The global TripAdvisor community informed this list of winners that will inspire and help travelers find the hotel that’s right for them, as they plan and book their next amazing trip.”

Bethlehem Mayor, Adv. Anton Salman, acclaimed the importance of this award by one of the most prominent tourism websites, stressing that this achievement is Bethlehem’s success specifically and Palestine’s in general.

Adv. Salman highlighted that the Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse rehabilitation was possible thanks to the twinnings that link Bethlehem to many Italian municipalities, among them Florence and Montevarchi. He stressed the importance of those twinning relations in attracting development projects, development of the local economy, generating local employment and enhancing Bethlehem’s cultural heritage.

Fadi Kattan, Chef and Director of the Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse said: “This award makes us proud. We worked hard during the last few years to make Hosh Al-Syrian a prominent and famous guesthouse worldwide. This award encourages us to continue on the journey of offering exceptional service to support the tourism sector. The Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse offers a unique experience to guests, staying in an authentic Bethlehem Hosh, while discovering the rich flavours of our terroir.” Kattan added: “We offer this award to our city, Bethlehem and our Municipality. I thank the young dynamic team at the Hosh Al-Syrian for their attention to detail, their sense of service and passion for our service industry”.