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Tourism rebounds in 2026
Syria recorded a rebound in tourism during the first half of 2026, welcoming 3.52 million visitors between January and June 2026, up from 1.67 million in the first half of 2025, a growth rate of 111%, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism.
“The Syrian Ministry of Tourism said on Tuesday that the number of visitors to Syria rose in the first half of this year, 2026, to 3”
The same ministry data showed foreign visitor arrivals rose 448% to 719,000 compared with 131,000 in the first half of 2025, while Arab arrivals increased 107% to 664,000.
Syrian expatriate visits also climbed, with the number of visits by Syrians living abroad increasing 75% to 2.13 million during the period, compared with 1.22 million in the first half of 2025.
The Ministry of Tourism said the growth was driven by rising interest in Syria’s cultural heritage, historic sites, and demand for authentic travel experiences, and it pointed to the diaspora’s role in supporting tourism recovery by strengthening international engagement.
Looking ahead, Syria expects further tourism growth during the peak third-quarter season, supported by improved air connectivity, the return of airlines, increased hospitality investment, hotel development, and a growing calendar of cultural events.
Minister links growth to confidence
Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salhani framed the figures as a shift in Syria’s tourism landscape, saying, "These figures mark an important shift in Syria's tourism landscape."
In the same remarks, he said the return of visitors from "across the region and around the world" reflects growing confidence in Syria as a destination and creates momentum for investment, hospitality, and tourism services.
Al-Watan also quoted Al-Salehani describing Syrian expatriates as central to the strategy, saying, "Restoring Syrians' trust in their homeland is the first step toward cementing the world's trust in Syria as a tourist destination."
Al-Watan reported that the ministry’s data showed Syrian arrivals from expatriates rose to 2.13 million in the first half of 2026, up from 1.22 million in the same period of 2025, for 75% growth.
The ministry’s messaging tied the visitor surge to demand beyond neighboring markets, with foreign arrivals rising 448% and Arab arrivals rising 107% as Syria returned to the regional and international tourism map.
Markets and investment priorities
The Ministry of Tourism data cited by SANA said Turkey topped the list of markets exporting visitors, followed by Germany, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
SANA reported that Arab tourists rose to 664,000 compared with 320,000 in the same period last year, and that Jordan led the list of Arab markets exporting visitors alongside Lebanon and Iraq.
The Statistics Authority at the Ministry of Tourism told SANA that the growth rates in the first half of 2026 reflected rising confidence in Syria as a tourist destination and growing regional and international demand to visit it.
SANA also quoted Mazen Al-Salhani saying, “We are proud of the substantial growth in the number of visitors from expatriate Syrians, because they represent more than just a segment of visitors; they are Syria's ambassadors to the world, and the first to convey the experience to their families and communities.”
The ministry said the expansion of tourist movement enhances investment opportunities in the tourism sector and increases the need to develop hotel capacity, facilities, and services to keep pace with visitor numbers.
