The Syria Travel Show 2026 will bring industry leaders to Damascus from April 14–16 to promote long-term recovery and investment in Syria’s tourism sector.
Summary: The Syria Travel Show 2026 will take place April 14–16 at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus as a B2B marketplace aimed at attracting investment, strengthening partnerships and supporting long-term recovery of Syria’s tourism sector.
Syria is formally re-entering the regional tourism marketplace with the announcement of the Syria Travel Show 2026. Scheduled for April 14–16 at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus, the event is intended as a business-to-business forum to foster investment, rebuild industry links and support the long-term revival of the country’s travel sector.
Event overview and partners
Organizers describe the Syria Travel Show 2026 as a focused B2B marketplace rather than a consumer fair. The launch is being run in partnership with Mangusteen for Exhibitions and Conferences and SO Media, underlining a coordinated effort to reconnect Syria with regional and international tourism trade stakeholders.
B2B focus: objectives and sectors of interest
The show aims to bring together international tour operators, travel agents, cultural tourism specialists, media and hospitality investors to establish partnerships and explore investment opportunities. Organizers expect structured discussions on public-private partnerships, community-led tourism, hospitality upgrades and sector modernisation that support sustainable, long-term growth rather than short-term visitor spikes.
- Target audience: tour operators, travel agencies, cultural tourism experts, media and investors
- Primary goals: facilitate agreements, attract capital, and build institutional partnerships
- Key themes: cultural/heritage tourism, community-based models, hospitality investment and workforce development
Recent tourism recovery and demand indicators
Signs of recovery in Syria’s tourism sector provided context for the event. According to data from the Syrian Ministry of Tourism, between January and November 2025 Syria recorded 3.56 million visitors (both Syrians and international tourists), an 18% increase on the previous year. Within that total, arrivals by Arab nationals and other international travellers rose by 80% over the same period, indicating renewed demand.
The organisers also place Syria’s rebound in the wider regional context: UN Tourism reports that the Middle East saw a 3% increase in tourism in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by nearly 39% — a backdrop that organisers say the Syria Travel Show 2026 will seek to capitalise on.
Cultural and heritage tourism at the centre
A core theme of the show will be cultural and heritage tourism. Syria’s historic attractions — including ancient Palmyra, the old city of Aleppo and the Crac des Chevaliers, many recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites — remain central to the country’s tourism offer. Sessions will explore how to integrate these assets into community-based visitor experiences while preserving heritage and ensuring local benefits.
Hospitality, infrastructure and workforce development
Organisers say the show will highlight investment opportunities across hospitality and transport infrastructure, and will prioritise restoration work in areas such as Aleppo and Homs. Delegates will also discuss workforce training to equip tourism professionals with the skills needed to support an expanding visitor economy and to raise service standards nationwide.
Regional partnerships and long-term recovery
The Syria Travel Show 2026 is designed to rebuild links between local businesses, government representatives and international tourism players. By facilitating networking and knowledge exchange, organisers aim to position Syria as a reliable leisure and business destination within the MENA region and to attract institutional capital that supports sustainable growth.
What this means for travellers and the industry
For travellers, a successful Syria Travel Show 2026 could translate into improved services, more organised cultural experiences and gradually wider access to restored heritage sites. For the travel industry, the event represents an opportunity to form early partnerships, secure development projects and help shape standards as Syria rebuilds its tourism offer.
So what? The show matters because it aims to convert recent increases in visitor interest into long-term investment and institutional ties. That focus on durable recovery — via capital, partnerships and skills development — will determine whether Syria’s tourism rebound is sustainable and beneficial to communities across the country.
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