Syria will host its inaugural international travel trade exhibition, Syria Travel Show (STS) 2026, from 28 to 30 September 2026 at Al Moutanbi Hall, Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus. The event is organised by Mangusteen Events and Exhibitions and SO Media under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism.
Industry Stakeholders and Participants
STS 2026 will bring together tourism authorities, investors, hotel groups, developers, airlines, tour operators, travel agencies, technology providers, franchise owners and cultural institutions, aiming to showcase Syria’s commercial travel, tourism and hospitality potential.
Tourism Growth in Syria
Visitor arrivals in Syria reached 3.52 million in the first half of 2026, more than doubling compared
with the first half of 2025. International arrivals registered a 448% increase, Arab visitors grew by 107%, and Syrian expatriate arrivals rose by 75%.
Event Format and Attendance
The three-day event combines a travel trade exhibition with keynote addresses, panel discussions, cultural showcases, professional networking and curated B2B matchmaking. Organisers anticipate more than 30 exhibitors, over 20 speakers and upwards of 5,000 attendees.
Program Themes and Exhibition Highlights
The conference will cover policy and investment, public-private partnerships, hospitality and aviation, destination marketing, inbound tourism, cultural heritage, travel technology, entrepreneurship, talent development and regional cooperation. The exhibition floor will spotlight Syrian destinations, hospitality brands, travel services, tourism products and investment
opportunities. A dedicated B2B programme facilitates meetings among investors, buyers, operators, suppliers and institutional partners, supporting hotel and resort development, tourism real estate, infrastructure and destination readiness.
Official Vision for Tourism Development
H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Minister of Tourism, stated: “Syria’s tourism sector is entering a new phase, underpinned by growing regional and international confidence, rising visitor demand and a clear commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment. 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. Syria Travel Show will provide an important platform for bringing
together investors, industry leaders and strategic partners to unlock the sector’s full potential and shape its next phase of growth.”
