Saudi tech firms enlisted to power Syria’s tourism revival - EUROPE SAYS
Syria’s Ministry of Tourism has signed a new agreement with three Saudi technology companies to support the modernisation of the country’s digital tourism services. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was. . .
Syria’s Ministry of Tourism has signed a new agreement with three Saudi technology companies to support the modernisation of the country’s digital tourism services. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalised in Damascus with Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salhani and Saudi partner representatives, alongside members of the Syrian-Saudi Business Council. Under the agreement, Saudi companies Tamkeen, Cipher and Hawaz will partner with Syria’s Ministry of Tourism on a digital platform for tourism services and bookings that’s designed to streamline visitor services. It will allow the tourism authority to utilise data-driven tourism planning for future projects and improve cybersecurity with new data governance frameworks and advanced data collection and analytical systems. A national tourism portal will also be established to offer information about Syria’s destinations, attractions and events. RELATED:Syria records 111% surge in arrivals in H1 2026Air Arabia expands Syria network with Aleppo flightsSyria sets out tourism recovery plans for summer 2026The programme will also include destination marketing campaigns targeting regional and international visitors, alongside training initiatives to equip tourism professionals with digital skills. Mazen Al-Salhani, Minister of Tourism, said: “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. ”The move comes as Syria reports more than 3. 5 million visitor arrivals in the first half of the year, marking a 111% year-on-year increase. Growth was driven by international tourism, with Türkiye, Germany and the US among the country’s leading source markets. An influx of visits from Syrian expatriates also contributed to the increase, with visitors increasing by 75% year-on-year to2. 13 million in H1 2026. Improved regional air connectivity is making the country more accessible, supported by new routes including Air Arabia’s Sharjah to Aleppo service, which launched in early July 2026. For more information, visitmots. gov. sy