In July 2026, Syria’s Ministry of Tourism signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Damascus with three Saudi technology companies: Tamkeen, Cipher, and Hawaz. The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Minister of Tourism, members of the Syrian-Saudi Business Council, and senior ministry officials. This partnership aims to accelerate the digital transformation of Syria’s tourism sector by establishing an integrated digital ecosystem.
Digital Ecosystem Development and Capabilities
The partners will develop a unified digital platform for tourism services and bookings, along with a national digital tourism portal offering comprehensive information on Syrian destinations, attractions, and events. The agreement includes strengthening cybersecurity capabilities,
implementing robust data governance frameworks, and developing advanced systems for data collection and analytics to inform tourism development and policy-making.
Government Strategy and Saudi Expertise
This initiative forms part of Syria’s nationwide digital transformation agenda aimed at modernizing public services, upgrading digital infrastructure, enhancing data governance, and expanding e-government capabilities. The Saudi companies bring experience aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, specializing in digital transformation, institutional modernization, cybersecurity, and government technology. Their expertise is expected to introduce best practices in digital governance and service design to Syria’s tourism industry.
Visitor Growth Reflects Tourism Sector Expansion
Tourism demand surged in early 2026 with Syria receiving 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half
of 2026, an increase of 111% from 1.67 million in the same period in 2025. International tourist arrivals climbed by 448% year-on-year, and visitor numbers from Arab countries increased by 107%, according to data from Syria’s Ministry of Tourism.
Minister’s Perspective on Digital Transformation
Minister of Tourism H.E. 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.”
