Syria Welcomes 3.5 Million Visitors in Six Months

The tourism sector in Syria recorded an increase in visitor numbers during the first half of 2026, with the total number of Syrian, Arab, and foreign visitors reaching 3.52 million, reflecting growth in arrivals from various markets compared to the same period last year.

In numerical terms, total visitors reached 3.52 million in the first half of 2026, compared to 1.67 million during the same period in 2025, representing a 111% growth.

Syrian expatriates led the figures, with 2.13 million visitors, up from 1.22 million last year, marking a 75% increase. Foreign visitors numbered 719,000, compared to 131,000, a 448% increase over the same period last year. They were followed by Arab visitors, who totaled 664,000, up from 320,000, representing a 107% increase.

Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salehany, in a statement quoted by the Al-Thawra Al-Suriya newspaper, affirmed that Syria is moving toward building an integrated economy led by tourism, driven by rising confidence in the Syrian destination and increasing demand for it.

Al-Salehany added that “markets do not flatter; they respond to confidence,” noting that the growth achieved in the tourism sector has helped transform tourism demand into a driver of investment demand, reflecting the growing attractiveness of the Syrian market to investors.

For her part, the Directorate of Planning and Statistics at the Ministry of Tourism confirmed to Al-Thawra Al-Suriya that the tourism sector continues to record exceptional growth rates in 2026, fueled by rising confidence in Syria as a tourist destination and increasing regional and international demand to visit.

Regarding the arrival of Syrian expatriates, the Directorate of Planning and Statistics clarified that the recorded increase in their numbers confirms their status within the ministry’s strategy to enhance confidence in the Syrian destination, as they are capable of conveying their experience to external markets and contributing to consolidating Syria’s image as a tourist destination.

The Directorate noted that external markets recorded the highest growth rates during the first half of the year, indicating growing international interest in Syria as a tourist destination, driven by rising demand for cultural and heritage tourism and authentic experiences.

It pointed out that Turkey topped the list of source markets for visitors, followed by Germany, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom, considering this to reflect the broadening base of international markets and the gradual shift of demand from neighboring markets to European and American markets.

Regarding Arab markets, Jordan topped the list of source markets for visitors, alongside Lebanon and Iraq, with a continued increase in visitor numbers from Gulf Arab countries, according to the Directorate.