Syria’s Ministry of Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2026 with three Saudi technology companies—Tamkeen, Cipher, and Hawaz—in Damascus. The agreement aims to accelerate digital transformation of Syria’s tourism sector by developing an integrated digital tourism ecosystem that improves visitor experience, strengthens institutional capabilities, and enables data-driven development.
Components of the Digital Tourism Ecosystem
The partnership will develop a unified digital platform for tourism services and bookings, alongside a national digital tourism portal offering comprehensive information on Syria’s destinations, attractions, and events. It includes strengthening cybersecurity capabilities and implementing robust data governance frameworks. Advanced data collection and analytics systems will support evidence-based policymaking and
long-term tourism planning.
Strategic Context and Tourism Growth in Syria
This initiative is part of Syria’s nationwide digital transformation agenda to modernize public services and expand e-government. Visitor arrivals increased by 111% year-on-year to 3.52 million in the first half of 2026, with international arrivals surging 448% and arrivals from Arab countries rising 107%. The agreement builds on prior efforts focused on institutional governance, administrative modernization, and digital government expansion.
Expected Outcomes and Official Positions
The digital tourism ecosystem will enhance Syria’s competitiveness in regional and international tourism markets through destination marketing initiatives targeting these markets. Capacity-building programs will train tourism professionals for a digital economy. The MoU was signed in Damascus
in the presence of H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Syria’s Minister of Tourism, representatives of Tamkeen, Cipher, and Hawaz, and members of the Syrian-Saudi Business Council. Public-private partnerships play an increasing role in advancing digital capabilities across government services, destination management, visitor engagement, investment facilitation, and policy development.
Minister Mazen Al-Salhani stated, “Digital transformation is not simply a technology project—it is a strategic pillar of rebuilding a more competitive, resilient and future-ready tourism sector. Our ambition is not merely to keep pace with digital transformation, but to lead it across the tourism industry by building an integrated digital ecosystem powered by trusted
data, robust governance and resilient cybersecurity. We want the Ministry of Tourism to serve as a benchmark for digital government in the tourism sector and to become the reference point for the wider tourism ecosystem.”
Scope and Information Limitations
Details on investment amounts, specific digital technologies, and project timelines have not been disclosed. The agreement is a key milestone within Syria’s long-term digital transformation roadmap, expanding institutional governance, information management, and operational modernization into visitor-facing tourism services.
