Syria Travel Forum 2026 Launches in Damascus to Boost Investment
The Syrian capital, Damascus, has officially launched the first edition of the “Syria Travel Forum 2026.” This strategic event serves as a platform for major tourism companies to return to the market and work toward the development of the national tourism sector. The forum is scheduled to run until September 30, attracting significant participation from local, regional, and international firms eager to explore investment opportunities within the Syrian market.
Participants at the forum emphasized the event’s importance in establishing a new roadmap for the tourism sector, highlighting that Syria possesses natural and historical assets that make it a promising tourist destination. Abdul Rahman Atfeh, a representative for the UAE-based company Emesa, noted that their participation follows a long hiatus. He explained that the goal is to reactivate tourism activity and take advantage of new government measures designed to encourage investment and facilitate the operations of companies working in this vital sector.
For her part, Hala Youssef, representing the Kayan Foundation for Tourism Transport and Marketing, stressed the forum’s essential role in driving the national economy by fostering an interactive environment that brings together industry experts and professionals. She confirmed that the objective is to build high-quality partnerships that contribute to the development of transport and tourism-related logistics services, thereby improving the quality of services offered to visitors and aligning them with international standards.
In a similar vein, Qais Hassan, a representative of the Awad Foundation for Tourism, Travel, and Hajj and Umrah services, pointed out that the presence of local companies alongside their international counterparts strengthens Syria’s position on the global tourism map. He added that the exchange of expertise during the forum will contribute to improving the quality of local tourism offerings, which will have a direct impact on attracting more tourists and stimulating the economy.
According to Malik Shishtawi, head of Mangosteen, the company organizing the forum, the first edition has recorded the participation of 34 exhibitors and 43 speakers representing 14 countries. This level of participation reflects strong regional and international interest in Syria’s tourism sector. The first day of the event saw a heavy turnout of more than 1,300 visitors, signaling a genuine desire to develop business and form long-term partnerships.
The inaugural “Syria Travel Forum 2026” aims to examine available investment opportunities and remove obstacles for companies looking to enter the Syrian market. It focuses on highlighting prospects for developing tourism infrastructure and promoting Syria as a regional hub connecting various tourism markets, reinforcing the sector as a pillar for national economic development.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
