Visitors Double in Six Months
Syria recorded 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the 1.67 million counted in the same period a year earlier, according to data released on 21 July 2026. The overall increase of 111 percent spans foreign tourists, Arab travelers, and members of the Syrian diaspora.
The figures were compiled by the planning and statistics directorate of the tourism ministry.
Foreign Arrivals Surge 448%
Foreign tourists posted the sharpest gain, rising to 719,000 from 131,000 a year earlier, an increase of 448 percent. Arab visitors climbed to 664,000 from 320,000, a rise of 107 percent.
The Syrian diaspora remained the largest single group at 2.13 million, up 75 percent from 1.22 million in the first half of 2025. The totals cover the six months to the end of June 2026.
Where the Visitors Came From
Among non-Arab arrivals, Turkey led the source markets, followed by Germany, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Jordan topped the list of Arab source countries, ahead of Lebanon and Iraq, with officials citing expanding interest from Gulf states.
A Bet on Confidence
The tourism minister described diaspora travelers as "Syria's ambassadors worldwide," saying they are often the first to share their experience with families and communities abroad. He said the growth in Arab and foreign arrivals confirmed the country's return to regional and international tourism maps.
Officials attributed the broader rise to renewed international confidence in the country as a destination and to growing regional and global demand.
Opening for Hospitality Investment
The data were presented alongside a call for investment in hotels, hospitality, and tourism services, which officials framed as central to sustaining the rebound.
No revenue or hotel-occupancy figures accompanied the visitor counts, leaving the financial value of the surge undisclosed for now.