Tourism

Syria's Ministry of Tourism has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three Saudi technology companies — Tamkeen, Cipher and Hawaz — to develop an integrated digital tourism ecosystem aimed at modernising the country's tourism sector and enhancing visitor experiences.

The agreement forms part of the ministry's long-term digital transformation strategy and seeks to build a unified digital operating model that improves tourism services, strengthens institutional performance and supports data-driven decision-making.

According to the ministry, the initiative will help improve service delivery, enhance governance and boost Syria's competitiveness as it seeks to strengthen its position in regional and international tourism markets.

Unified Digital Tourism Platform

Under the partnership, the three companies will collaborate with the ministry to develop a unified digital platform for tourism services and bookings, alongside a national digital tourism portal that will provide information on destinations, attractions and events across Syria.

The project will also focus on:

1. Strengthening cybersecurity capabilities.
2. Implementing data governance frameworks.
3. Developing advanced data collection and analytics systems.
4. Supporting evidence-based policymaking and long-term tourism planning.

The MoU was signed in Damascus in the presence of H.E. Mazen Al-Salhani, Minister of Tourism, representatives from Tamkeen, Cipher and Hawaz, members of the Syrian-Saudi Business Council, and senior ministry officials.

Supporting Tourism Through Technology

Commenting on the agreement, Mazen Al-Salhani said digital transformation is a strategic pillar in rebuilding a competitive and resilient tourism sector.

He said the ministry aims to create an integrated digital ecosystem supported by trusted data, strong governance and robust cybersecurity, positioning the Ministry of Tourism as a benchmark for digital government within the tourism industry.

The three Saudi companies bring expertise in digital transformation, institutional modernisation, cybersecurity and government technology, with experience supporting initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. Their combined capabilities are expected to help implement international best practices in digital governance, service design and operational excellence.

Destination Marketing and Skills Development

Beyond digital infrastructure, the programme includes initiatives to strengthen destination marketing in regional and international markets, while introducing capacity-building programmes to equip tourism professionals with digital skills needed for the evolving tourism landscape.

The ministry said the initiative expands its earlier efforts focused on governance, information management and administrative modernisation by introducing visitor-facing digital services and embedding emerging technologies throughout the tourism value chain.

The project is expected to support investment, improve service innovation, strengthen destination competitiveness and contribute to the ministry's broader vision of building a tourism-led economy driven by innovation and digital transformation.

The agreement also aligns with Syria's wider national digital transformation agenda, which seeks to modernise public services, enhance digital infrastructure, strengthen data governance and expand e-government capabilities across various sectors.

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