The inaugural Syria Travel Show (STS) 2026 will take place from 28–30 September 2026 at Al Moutanbi Hall, Dama Rose Hotel, Damascus, creating a dedicated international platform for exploring the commercial potential of Syria’s travel, tourism and hospitality economy.
Held under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism, STS 2026 is organised by Mangusteen Events and Exhibitions and SO Media. The event will connect tourism authorities, investors, hotel groups, developers, airlines, tour operators, travel agencies, technology providers, franchise owners, cultural institutions and other stakeholders seeking to participate in the sector’s next phase of development.
Syria’s tourism sector is entering a new phase of market development, underpinned by growing regional and international confidence, rising visitor demand and a strategic vision to position tourism as a catalyst for investment and economic growth. As momentum continues to build, opportunities are expanding across the tourism value chain—from hospitality and aviation to destination development, tourism technology, cultural experiences and supporting infrastructure.
The event follows an exceptional first half of 2026 for Syria’s tourism sector, with visitor arrivals reaching 3.52 million, more than doubling compared with the same period in 2025. International visitor arrivals increased by 448%, while Arab visitors grew by 107% and Syrian expatriate arrivals rose by 75%, reflecting renewed market confidence and strengthening demand across regional and international source markets. Together, these indicators reinforce Syria’s ambition to build a tourism-led economy driven by investment, private-sector participation and long-term destination development.
STS 2026 is designed to help businesses identify these opportunities, meet prospective partners and establish an early presence in a market preparing for renewed growth.
Commenting on the announcement, H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Minister of Tourism, said: “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.”
A platform for investment and market entry
For investors and developers, the show will provide access to discussions surrounding hotel and resort development, tourism real estate, infrastructure, destination readiness and public-private partnerships.
International and regional hotel operators will be able to explore management agreements, development partnerships and opportunities to introduce established hospitality concepts into the Syrian market. Franchise owners and brands across accommodation, food and beverage, retail, wellness and visitor services can use the event to assess demand, identify potential partners and examine routes to market.
Tour operators, destination-management companies and travel agencies will have opportunities to form distribution partnerships, develop inbound programmes and create new cultural, heritage, religious, medical, wellness, adventure and experiential tourism products.
The show will also provide a point of entry for airlines, aviation service providers, online travel agencies, booking platforms, payment providers and travel-technology companies whose capabilities will be essential to reconnecting Syria with the international tourism ecosystem.
Three days of business, dialogue and partnership-building:
STS 2026 will combine a travel trade exhibition with keynote addresses, panel discussions, cultural showcases, professional networking and curated B2B matchmaking. Organisers anticipate the participation of more than 30 exhibitors, over 20 speakers and upwards of 5,000 attendees during the three-day event.
The conference will examine the principal factors shaping Syria’s tourism development, including policy and investment, public-private partnerships, hospitality and aviation, destination marketing, inbound tourism, cultural heritage, travel technology, entrepreneurship, talent development and regional cooperation.
Alongside the conference, the exhibition floor will showcase Syrian destinations, hospitality brands, travel services, tourism products and investment opportunities. A dedicated B2B programme will facilitate targeted meetings between investors, buyers, operators, suppliers and institutional partners.
First-mover opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors:
For exhibitors and sponsors, STS 2026 offers an opportunity to build visibility and commercial relationships at an early stage in Syria’s tourism revival. Participating organisations will be able to present their capabilities directly to decision-makers, generate qualified business leads, demonstrate relevant solutions and contribute to industry discussions shaping the sector’s future.
