Syria received approximately 3.52 million visitors during the first six months of 2026, according to figures released by the Statistics Authority at the Ministry of Tourism.
That compares with 1.67 million visitors during the same period in 2025, representing an increase of around 111%. The total includes Syrian expatriates returning to the country, visitors from Arab countries and other foreign nationals.
The figures point to a significant recovery in visitor movement, but they also deserve some explanation. The headline number does not refer exclusively to international holidaymakers: Syrian expatriates account for the largest share of the total.
Foreign visitor numbers recorded the fastest growth
The strongest percentage increase came from visitors classified by the Ministry of Tourism as foreign tourists.
Their number rose from approximately 131,000 during the first half of 2025 to 719,000 in the same period of 2026—an increase of 448%.
Türkiye was listed as the largest foreign source market, followed by:
- Germany
- Sweden
- The United States
- The Netherlands
- Canada
- The United Kingdom
The presence of several European and North American countries near the top of the list suggests that demand is no longer coming only from Syria’s immediate neighbours. It also reflects the importance of countries with large Syrian communities, alongside a gradually growing number of international visitors coming for tourism, business and family travel.
More visitors are arriving from Arab countries
The number of visitors from Arab countries also increased considerably.
Official figures show approximately 664,000 Arab visitors during the first half of 2026, compared with 320,000 during the same six months of 2025. That represents growth of around 107%.
Jordan was the largest Arab source market, followed by Lebanon and Iraq. The Ministry also reported continuing growth from Gulf countries.
These markets are especially important because many visitors can reach Syria through a combination of direct flights and land-border connections from Jordan or Lebanon.
Syrian expatriates remain the largest group
Syrian expatriates accounted for approximately 2.13 million visitors, or around three-fifths of the total reported for the first half of the year.
That was an increase from 1.22 million during the corresponding period in 2025, representing growth of about 75%.
Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salhani described Syrian expatriates as important ambassadors for the country because they share their experiences with their families and communities abroad.
Their role extends beyond conventional tourism. Many return to visit relatives, reconnect with their hometowns, handle personal matters or introduce younger family members to Syria for the first time.
What do the figures really tell us?
The statistics are encouraging, but the word “visitor” should not automatically be understood as meaning a foreign leisure tourist staying in hotels and joining a sightseeing programme.
The total combines three broad groups:
| Visitor category | First half of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Syrian expatriates | 2.13 million |
| Other foreign visitors | 719,000 |
| Visitors from Arab countries | 664,000 |
| Total, rounded | 3.52 million |
This distinction matters when interpreting the figures. An expatriate returning to stay with relatives and a European traveller joining a cultural tour are both counted as visitors, although their reasons for travelling and their economic impact may be very different.
Even after Syrian expatriates are separated from the total, Arab and other foreign arrivals together reached approximately 1.38 million—just over three times the 451,000 recorded across the same two categories during the first half of 2025. This suggests that the growth is broader than expatriate return visits alone.
Why is interest in Syria increasing?
There is unlikely to be one single reason behind the rise.
During 2026, travellers gained access to a growing selection of international flights serving Damascus and Aleppo. New and expanded routes have made it easier to arrive through cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Sharjah, Bucharest and Amsterdam.
There has also been greater international interest in Syria’s archaeological sites, religious heritage, traditional crafts and historic cities.
For travellers who may have considered visiting for years, improving access and more widely available information can make the journey feel increasingly possible.
However, travel to Syria still involves practical considerations. Government advisories, insurance restrictions, changing flight schedules and regional security conditions continue to affect some visitors.
What does this growth mean for travellers?
More visitors can create a livelier tourism sector, encourage the return of international flights and support the reopening or development of hotels, restaurants and visitor services.
It can also mean greater demand during busy periods.
Travellers planning to visit during religious holidays, festivals, major exhibitions or popular spring and autumn dates should consider reserving accommodation, guides and transportation early.
The Ministry of Tourism has acknowledged that continued growth will require:
- More hotel capacity
- Better tourism infrastructure
- Improved hospitality services
- Additional investment
- Stronger standards across the tourism sector
These improvements will be important if rising visitor numbers are to result in a better experience rather than simply busier destinations.
A positive sign for Syria’s tourism recovery
The first-half figures are one of the clearest indications yet that movement into Syria is increasing.
The sharp rise in foreign and Arab arrivals is particularly important because it suggests growing interest from beyond the Syrian expatriate community. At the same time, expatriates remain central to the recovery, both as visitors and as people who introduce the country to friends, relatives and communities abroad.
It is too early to assume that the same growth rate will continue throughout the entire year. Visitor numbers can vary considerably by season, and the final annual result will depend on aviation, regional conditions and the capacity of the tourism sector to accommodate demand.
Still, reaching 3.52 million visitors in six months represents a notable change from the same period in 2025 and a positive development for Syria’s tourism and hospitality industries.
For international travellers, it also means they are increasingly likely to encounter a country welcoming more visitors, restoring connections and gradually returning to the regional tourism map.
Syria welcomes 3.52 million visitors in the first half of 2026 — Syrian Arab News Agency, based on figures from the Statistics Authority at the Ministry of Tourism, published 21 July 2026.