Syria reopens to visitors: foreign arrivals jump 448% in first half of 2026

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Syria is actively signaling its reintegration into the global community through significant strides in tourism and aviation, marking a stark contrast to years of war and isolation. Syrian Airlines has resumed direct flights between Damascus and Moscow after an 18-month suspension, while new international routes are being established at airports in Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor. These developments indicate a concerted effort by the current leadership to rehabilitate infrastructure and welcome visitors, including expatriates and tourists eager to experience the country's rich history. The reopening of these vital transport links suggests that Syria is attempting to shed its image as a closed-off nation and present itself as a viable destination for international travel once again. The narrative of recovery is further supported by the return of the Syrian Jewish community and the rebuilding of historic synagogues in Damascus, highlighting the city's cosmopolitan nature despite past challenges. Omar Abdallah, a journalist and filmmaker, emphasizes that Syria was once a major global tourism hub and argues that the current administration represents a diverse society where churches, mosques, and synagogues coexist. He notes that while international media has often projected negative stereotypes about the Syrian people, the reality on the ground is one of openness and diversity. Visitors are encouraged to witness this firsthand, as the new leadership aims to demonstrate that Syria is ready to welcome everyone from any background, potentially transforming the country into a significant tourist destination in the near future. However, this economic and social thaw is viewed with caution by Israel, which maintains a security-focused perspective on the situation. Jonathan Conricus explains that while there is hope for Syrian prosperity and stability that could benefit Europe by allowing refugees to return home, Israel still regards the current regime as a potential jihadi threat until it explicitly renounces violence and pledges not to march on Jerusalem. From Tel Aviv's standpoint, the economic revival in Syria does not automatically equate to political normalization or safety, especially given the ongoing border realities and the need for forward-deployed troops. Israel has extended an olive branch for security negotiations, but its posture remains conservative until the regime demonstrates a fundamental shift away from its ideological roots and violent objectives. Ultimately, the situation in Syria presents a complex duality where internal efforts to rebuild and open up clash with external security concerns that have not yet been fully resolved. The hope expressed by Syrian officials is that positive actions and statements will eventually lead Israel to change its assessment of the regime, but until then, the path to full normalization remains uncertain. The resumption of flights and the influx of tourists serve as tangible signs of a nation trying to stand on its own two feet, yet the international community, particularly neighboring states like Israel, continues to weigh these developments against long-standing geopolitical fears. Whether Syria can successfully transition from a symbol of conflict to a beacon of regional stability will depend on whether the current government can sustain its reforms and convince skeptical neighbors that it poses no future threat.

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Syrian Airlines has just resumed direct flights between Damascus and Moscow. That's after an 18-month suspension restoring now one of the country's most important international routes. It's the most recent sign we could argue of Syria's reintegration with the world. Perhaps most telling, Damascus says tourism is making a major comeback. That's right. So after years of war and isolation, Damascus is now trying to sell a very different image. One of open airports, returning visitors and expats, and a country ready to welcome the outside world again. On that note, we're joined by Syrian journalist and filmmaker Omar Abdallah. Thanks for joining us, Omar. For years, the idea of of going on holiday to Syria would have sounded really impossible. Let's just leave it at that. You know, is is that genuinely starting to change now? >> Well, thanks for having me on. In fact, these are signs of Syria's recovery. I mean, whether those who are coming back are Syrian in exile or tourists who are eager to experience Syria. I mean, you do know that before the war Syria was actually one of the major destinations for tourism in the entire world. And yes, that has to do with the internal government actions on the ground to speed up the infrastructure rehabilitation. You last couple of weeks actually, they opened the resort international airport to reconnect the eastern front of Syria with the rest of the country. And do we have today Germany actually German private airline start flying to that airport. And also the Aleppo international airport start its operations, start receiving airlines from Turkey and some other destinations. And also Damascus international airport. Yes, these are clear signs that Syria is recovering and is getting back on its feet. And soon we might uh uh see Syria on the in civic day in the world stage as the major uh touristic destination for people to come and experience. >> Look, I'd I'd love to visit. I'll be honest about that. Damascus is obviously a fascinating place. Um put me in my place though. Omar, look, I believe there's a chance Israelis will be more openly welcome in Damascus and Beirut than Brussels and Paris in even just a few years. Am I going too far? >> No, you are not. In fact, many Israelis joining us actually visited Damascus and went to old Damascus. The Jewish the Syrian Jewish population is starting getting back. The synagogue is being also rebuilt in Damascus. Damascus is a cosmopolitan city and it's welcoming every everybody from anywhere. You do know that the whole problem with Israel is just once they reach a deal, so we I might meet you in Damascus in a cup of coffee and baklava. We we visit the oldest synagogue in the world in Damascus together. That's perfectly fine. Actually, Syrians are very open people. It's They've been actually projected negatively in the international media for a long time, but that's not the case. But, this is not the case at all. I've been there after It's all has to do with Bashar al-Assad and his his you know, his arrangements against the Syrian people and the trying to demonize the opposition for a long time sending a signal bad or negative messages to the to the to the international community to stay away from from these people. These are bad people, which they are not. So, yes, I believe pretty soon you might be able to walk the streets of Damascus, take a selfie and say, "Hey guys, I'm here." >> Well, I'm not much of a selfier, but hey, a visit a visit could be on could be on the docket. Look, stories like this Is attraction. You know, is there a bit of a snowball effect in Syria? Are people notice? In other words, you know, the country feels itself opening up. Does this help the change? I mean, does this add positive momentum in in some way to the what Damascus is trying to do right now? >> Of course. I mean, look, here's the thing. I mean, Syria today is different. It's not the same Syria. I mean, those who are uh now is taking over are the the Syrian opposition groups, the liberal the uh the those who fought 14 years to get Syria back on the track. I mean, yes, you have all new ideas emerging. Syria is very diverse societies. You don't have just one set of ideas as some people might think. I mean, you would be surprised to go to walk in through the old streets of Damascus and you can see by yourself uh the the church beside the mosque beside the synagogue. I mean, you have people non-believers. You have every all of all sort of ideas there. So, yes, it's hard to just simply say, "I know how Syria looks like." No, you have to go there, see it to yourself and you will be surprised at everyone that I spoke to in my entire uh trip to Syria last month. Every foreigners, the only impression that I get from him that "Holy crap, this is not what I expected." >> That sounds like a positive reaction. Cuz of course, you know, as we know in here here in Israel, what's from trade internationally doesn't always represent what's going on inside the country. So, I opening chat. Omar, thanks for being with us on this. >> You're welcome. Absolutely. >> Now, we bring this serious story into the studio with Jonathan Conricus again. And and clearly, Jonathan, while Syria is trying to present itself as, you know, a major hub of reform, re-open reopening, normalizing, I think Israel's being rightly cautious uh towards this regime in Damascus. Here, does this kind of, you know, economic recovery, tourism how's it looked at from an Israeli security perspective? I mean, we're dealing with hard reality on the borders here. >> Yeah, I mean, I I I welcome it and I I would hope for the Syrian people to be prosperous and for them to be able to build an economy and a future for their country, for Syrian refugees who have been in Europe by the millions, for them to be able to go back to their homes. Maybe that'll stabilize Europe a little bit of Islamization and maybe bring back talented people back home to Syria if they want to. From an Israeli perspective, if we land this in, you know, on the ground of reality, the regime in power in Syria is still, until proven otherwise, a jihadi regime. That is how Israel, I think, generally looks at it, with lots of caution, lots of vigilance. I think if we'll see very positive developments, statements, and actions on the other side, then maybe that assessment can change. But after October 7, what Israel sees when we look at the other side of the border is a possible future threat that currently is mitigated by forward deployment of Israeli troops inside Syria. I think Israel has extended its hand for uh security negotiations. >> outreach has been enough from the Israeli side, or the openness, I should say? >> Yeah, I think we're I think Israel is still relatively conservative when it comes to any type of deal making with the uh Al-Julani uh Ahmad al-Sharaa regime because of his backgrounds and because of the fact that we haven't yet heard him say that I renounce jihad and my goal isn't to march on Jerusalem and take anything by force. Once that happens, then maybe Israel will shift posture. >> Jonathan Schanzer, we'll cut you free. Thank you for joining us.