{
  "id": 9473676,
  "title": "Syria visitor numbers more than double as international arrivals surge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/syria-visitor-numbers-more-than-double-as-international-arrivals-surge",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-24T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2026/09/24/syria-visitor-numbers-more-than-double-as-international-arrivals-surge/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Syria witnessed a more than doubling of visitor numbers in the first half of 2026, with international arrivals increasing by nearly fivefold, according to Tourism Minister Mazen Al Salhani. From Arab countries, arrivals rose by 107 per cent, while Syrian diaspora visits grew by 75 per cent. Overall visitor numbers surged 111 per cent from 1.67 million in the first six months of 2025.\n\nMinister Al Salhani emphasized that visitor numbers signify renewed confidence in Syria as a destination, urging the transformation of this confidence into investment, job creation, and long-term economic value. The tourism industry, battered by a decade of conflict and economic isolation, is being rebuilt with a focus on diversifying international markets beyond traditional neighbors. Growth is observed in Europe, North America, and the Gulf, alongside increasing returns from Syrian expatriates.\n\nThe Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is a key growth market due to proximity, cultural ties, and high outbound tourism spending. Syria is also regaining participation in international travel events and is investing in hotel development, infrastructure, and heritage sites to enhance visitor experiences. The government aims to quantify tourism's economic contribution by tracking visitor expenditure, stay duration, and related metrics.\n\nEfforts are underway to restore air connectivity, with Gulf and European airlines resuming services, and the redevelopment of Damascus International Airport. International card payments are being reintroduced, with Mastercard and QNB facilitating the first transactions in over a decade. A future highlight will be the Syria Travel Show in Damascus, uniting stakeholders to promote the country's tourism potential. The ultimate goal is to build a tourism sector that generates substantial economic value, not just restored numbers.",
  "summary": "Syria welcomed 3.52 million visitors in the first half of 2026, more than double the number a year earlier, as the country targets the Gulf and other higher-spending markets to drive its tourism recovery . International arrivals increased nearly fivefold, or 448 per cent, Tourism Minister Mazen Al Salhani told The National . Arrivals from Arab countries rose 107 per cent, while visits by Syrians…",
  "key_points": [
    "Visitor numbers more than doubled in Syria's first half of 2026.",
    "International arrivals surged nearly fivefold from 2025 levels.",
    "Gulf nations, especially Saudi Arabia and UAE, lead growth markets."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in visitor numbers to Syria indicates a renewed confidence in the country as a destination, with potential for long-term economic growth and investment.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Syria visitor numbers more than double as international arrivals surge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/syria-visitor-numbers-more-than-double-as-international-arrivals-surge-9479371",
        "published": "2026-09-24T03:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}