Ground work begins on Khams Shamat tourism project in Syria Dubai-based MAF Properties has commenced the ground works for its first tourism project in Syria, called Khams Shamat. Located in the Yafour area on the Damascus-Beirut highway, the project will occupy a total land space of 1 million square metres and is planned to contain hotels, a town square with outdoor shopping and restaurants, commercial office space and touristic accommodations. The company will soon announce the names of the leading companies to operate the major hotels in Khams Shamat. The first phase of the project will be completed in 2014.