Syria welcomed 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the figure recorded a year earlier, according to new government data released Tuesday. 

The fresh figures were powered by Syrians returning home from Turkey. The development comes as the transitional government pushes to promote tourism as a pillar of economic recovery after years of war, even as lingering security concerns and battered infrastructure continue to cast uncertainty over the sector's revival.

Details: According to Syria's state news agency SANA, citing the Ministry of Tourism, total arrivals increased by 111% during the first six months of 2026, compared to 1.67 million during the same period last year. The figures include Syrian expatriates and Arab visitors alongside other foreign nationals.

Foreign arrivals posted the fastest growth, rising 448% to 719,000 from 131,000 a year earlier, while Arab visitors more than doubled to 664,000. Syrian expatriates accounted for the largest share of arrivals at 2.13 million, up 75% year-on-year, reflecting both growing global engagement with the country and the continued return of Syrians displaced during more than a decade of conflict.