According to the Assyria Post's research, there are currently village bed-and-breakfasts operating in Mzizah, Saleh, Bsorino, Beth Kustan, Arkah, and at Mor Abrohom Monastery near Midyat. Ainwardo also offers accommodation through a privately owned initiative established by local Assyrians from the village.
The need for places to stay has grown as increasing numbers of Assyrians are exchanging crowded beach resorts for the tranquility and unique atmosphere of Turabdin's historic villages, choosing instead to spend their summers under the Assyrian sun.
For many Assyrians with roots in Turabdin, returning home is not as simple as unlocking the door to a family house. Many no longer own homes in their ancestral villages, while others have seen their family homes fall into ruin over the decades. The village B&Bs offer a convenient and affordable way to reconnect with their heritage.
They have also become gathering places for extended families scattered across the world. Relatives living in different countries coordinate their visits around the summer months, using the B&Bs as a place to reunite and reconnect with both one another and their ancestral homeland.
As the number of visitors continues to grow, the B&Bs have become a critical part of the infrastructure that is making these visits possible.
Most of the B&Bs have been built through joint community efforts and investments and are located on land owned by the village churches. The income they generate contributes directly to the local economy, remaining within the villages to help support the churches and lessen the financial burden on local residents. Funds are used for the upkeep of church properties, priests' salaries, and other communal needs.
Some establishments offer more than basic accommodation. In Bsorino, for example, guests can choose to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner during their stay, although most village B&Bs currently offer lodging only.
One of the first villages to establish a B&B was Mzizah, located just 10 kilometers from Midyat. Its popularity has grown steadily over the years.
"It's increasing each year, beginning from early spring until late summer, and is often fully booked," Afrem, a local resident, told the Assyria Post.
The growing popularity of Turabdin has also begun attracting non-Assyrian travelers. Last summer, a French couple became the first non-Assyrian guests to stay at the B&B in Mzizah.
"They spent three days here and ended up extending their stay because they enjoyed it so much and appreciated experiencing the tranquility of Assyrian village life," Afrem said.
