Syria’s Tourism Ministry Partners With Saudi Firms to Drive Digital Transformation
Syria’s Ministry of Tourism has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi technology companies Tamkeen, Cipher, and Hawaz to accelerate the digital transformation of the country’s tourism sector through the development of an integrated digital ecosystem.
The initiative aims to modernise tourism services by creating digital platforms that enhance the visitor experience, strengthen institutional capabilities, and enable data-driven decision-making as Syria works to improve its competitiveness in regional and international tourism markets.
Under the agreement, the partners will develop a unified digital platform for tourism services and bookings, alongside a national tourism portal offering information on destinations, attractions, and events across the country. The project also includes implementing cybersecurity measures, establishing data governance frameworks, and deploying advanced analytics systems to support tourism planning and policymaking.
H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Syria’s Minister of Tourism, said the initiative forms a key part of the country’s long-term tourism strategy.
“Digital transformation is more than a technology initiative—it is a strategic pillar in rebuilding a competitive, resilient, and future-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said. “Our goal is to create an integrated digital ecosystem built on trusted data, strong governance, and cybersecurity while positioning the Ministry as a benchmark for digital government in tourism.”
The MoU was signed in Damascus in the presence of the tourism minister, representatives from Tamkeen, Cipher, and Hawaz, members of the Syrian-Saudi Business Council, and senior ministry officials.
The three Saudi firms bring expertise in digital transformation, cybersecurity, institutional modernisation, and government technology, having supported digital initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. Their experience is expected to help the Ministry adopt international best practices in digital governance, service delivery, and operational efficiency.
In addition to building digital infrastructure, the partnership will support destination marketing initiatives targeting regional and international travellers, while also introducing training programmes to help tourism professionals develop digital skills required for the evolving industry.
The agreement builds on the Ministry’s wider digital transformation roadmap by extending earlier governance and administrative modernisation initiatives into visitor-facing digital services. It also aligns with Syria’s broader national digital transformation agenda, which focuses on modernising public services, strengthening digital infrastructure, improving data governance, and expanding e-government capabilities.
According to the Ministry, the initiative is intended to embed digital technologies across the tourism value chain, from government services and destination management to visitor engagement, investment facilitation, and long-term tourism development.
