Syria received 3.52 million visitors in six months — The National
Syria welcomed 3.52 million visitors in the first half of 2026, up 111% from the same period in 2025, when it received 1.67 million. The number of international arrivals rose by 448%, Syrian Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani said, The National reports.
According to the minister, the number of guests from Arab countries increased by 107%, while visits by Syrians living abroad rose by 75%. Preliminary data indicate that the number of visitors in the third quarter is already approaching 3 million.
New markets for tourism
Turkey remains an important source of tourist flows to Syria. At the same time, demand is growing from Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Visitors from the United States and Canada are also arriving in the country, while Jordan, Lebanon and the Gulf Cooperation Council states have contributed to the increase in guests from Arab countries.
Syrian authorities name Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf countries as priority markets. Syria has also resumed participation in international tourism events, including Arabian Travel Market and ITB Berlin, and is holding talks with hotel operators, developers, tourism companies and investors on projects and partnerships.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Hotel shortage and restoration of connections
One of the main constraints on further growth is a shortage of accommodation. According to the ministry, Syria has fewer than 20,000 hotel rooms, with nearly 60% of them in one- and two-star hotels. The government is seeking investment in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and tourism infrastructure.
The authorities aim to assess not only the number of arrivals, but also tourist spending, the duration of stays, the number of hotel overnight stays, occupancy, employment and investment in the sector. Airlines from Gulf countries and Europe are gradually resuming flights, while Damascus International Airport is being reconstructed. In August, Visa conducted the first real-time international card transaction in Syria, while Mastercard and QNB carried out the first international Mastercard transaction in the country in more than 15 years.
The ministry is also set to present a development project to improve visiting conditions at the Aleppo Citadel and plans to hold the Syria Travel Show tourism exhibition in Damascus at the end of September, with the participation of hotel groups, investors, airlines and tour operators.
