The inaugural Syria Travel Show (STS) 2026 is scheduled from 28 to 30 September 2026 at Al Moutanbi Hall in the Dama Rose Hotel, Damascus. The event is organized by Mangusteen Events and Exhibitions and SO Media and held under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism.
Diverse Stakeholders to Attend Syria Travel Show 2026
STS 2026 will bring together tourism authorities, investors, hotel groups, real estate developers, airlines, tour operators, travel agencies, technology companies, franchise owners, and cultural institutions. The event aims to facilitate collaboration across sectors involved in Syria’s travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.
Rapid Growth in Visitor Numbers Spurs Tourism Revival
Syria’s tourism sector showed strong growth in the first half of
2026, with total visitor arrivals reaching 3.52 million, more than doubling compared to the same period in 2025. International visitor arrivals increased by 448%, while arrivals from Arab countries rose by 107%, and Syrian expatriates visiting the country grew by 75%. Key source markets include Türkiye, Germany, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Arab nations such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Conference Themes and Business Opportunities Highlighted
The event will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, cultural showcases, and curated business-to-business matchmaking. Over 30 exhibitors and more than 20 speakers are expected, with total attendance projected to exceed 5,000. Topics include policy
and investment strategies, public-private partnerships, hospitality development, aviation, destination marketing, inbound tourism growth, cultural heritage preservation, travel technology innovation, entrepreneurship, talent development, and regional cooperation.
Investors and developers will discuss hotel and resort projects, tourism real estate, infrastructure improvements, and destination readiness. Regional and international hotel operators will explore management agreements and partnership opportunities. Tour operators and travel agencies will develop inbound tourism programs encompassing cultural, heritage, religious, medical, wellness, adventure, and experiential travel products.
Airlines, aviation service providers, online travel agencies, booking platforms, payment solution providers, and travel technology firms will use the event to reconnect Syria with global
tourism networks.
Minister of Tourism Emphasizes Investment and Private Sector Role
H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Syria’s Minister of Tourism, stated that the sector is entering a new phase driven by rising visitor demand and regional and international confidence. He emphasized the government’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment to foster a tourism-led economy. Al-Salhani said, “Our ambition is to build a tourism-led economy by empowering the private sector, attracting responsible investment and developing world-class tourism experiences that showcase Syria’s unique cultural and natural assets.”
Strategic Importance of Syria Travel Show 2026
STS 2026 provides a dedicated platform to unlock Syria’s tourism potential by facilitating networking, partnership formation, and market entry ahead of further sector expansion. It aligns
with Syria’s strategy to use tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and long-term destination development. Exhibitors and sponsors will gain early market visibility and direct access to decision-makers in a sector benefiting from rising regional and international confidence.
The venue for the event is Al Moutanbi Hall within the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus, reflecting the focus on connecting tourism stakeholders in Syria’s capital as the country positions itself for renewed growth.
