The Syrian Ministry of Tourism has announced the licensing mechanism for tourism offices and establishments—including travel agencies, Umrah offices, and domestic tourism bureaus—as part of its efforts to regulate the tourism sector and ensure that these offices adhere to all requisite legal and administrative standards.
Obtaining a license for a tourism office is considered a fundamental step for any investor or entrepreneur wishing to enter Syria’s tourism sector, whether through organizing travel itineraries, providing domestic tourism services, or managing travel and Umrah programs.
Individuals wishing to establish a tourism office or establishment must visit the Directorate of Tourism in the relevant governorate or the Ministry of Tourism itself to submit their licensing application, accompanied by all required supporting documents and credentials.
The licensing process begins with a review of the application and an on-site inspection conducted by a specialized committee, followed by the final approval stages and the issuance of the official license.
Applicants for a license are required to submit a formal application accompanied by several essential documents, most notably:
* A certified floor plan or engineering blueprint of the premises. The required floor area ranges from 25 to 28 square meters for an office licensed for a single category of activity, and between 28 and 30 square meters for an office licensed for multiple categories.
* In cases where the license is sought at a higher classification level, the floor area must be no less than 30 square meters for a single category of activity, and no less than 35 square meters for an office licensed for multiple categories.
* Proof of the premises' commercial status must also be submitted. This may take the form of an investment agreement, a five-year lease agreement, a one-year lease agreement accompanied by a written undertaking to complete the full five-year term, or a certificate of ownership. Additionally, personal documents must be provided, including a criminal record clearance certificate, a declaration of non-employment (confirming the applicant is not a government employee), and a photocopy of the applicant's national identity card. **Site Inspection and Preliminary Approval**
After submitting the required documentation, the Ministry of Tourism—or the relevant Directorate—dispatches a specialized committee to inspect the site and verify its compliance with the stipulated requirements.
The applicant undertakes not to engage in any tourism-related activities prior to the issuance of the official license; the office is not authorized to commence operations merely upon the submission of the application or the receipt of preliminary approval.
Once the name of the tourism office has been approved, the license applicant proceeds to the file completion stage, which entails submitting the following requirements:
An initial capital of no less than 10 million Syrian Pounds, a financial guarantee valued at 25 million Syrian Pounds, and an administrative staff registered with Social Security, accompanied by their respective professional certificates.
Additionally, an application for a Tourism Registry entry and an application for membership in the Chamber of Tourism must be submitted, along with the payment of a service fee ranging between 110,000 and 200,000 Syrian Pounds.
Upon the completion of the file, the application is forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism—or the relevant Directorate—for a final inspection by a specialized committee. This stage involves an examination of the site and the administrative staff, as well as a verification that all required conditions have been fully met.
Following final approval, the license is officially issued, thereby authorizing the tourism office or establishment to commence its operations in accordance with applicable regulations and directives.
The licensing of tourism offices and establishments constitutes a crucial step toward regulating the tourism sector in Syria and ensuring that these offices operate within a clear legal framework. Furthermore, obtaining a license empowers investors to offer their services with confidence and enhances the credibility of their agency in the eyes of clients, government authorities, and tourism chambers—particularly amidst the growing interest in investing in tourism services, tour operations, and domestic tourism.
ScopeOut assists investors and entrepreneurs seeking to establish tourism agencies or enterprises in Syria by analyzing legal requirements, preparing licensing dossiers, organizing documentation, overseeing registration procedures, and supporting the investor in developing a business model that complies with the regulations of the Ministry of Tourism.
Leveraging its expertise in company formation, market entry, and project structuring, ScopeOut transforms investment concepts within the tourism sector into a clear, legally sound, and actionable pathway.
