Reviving Syria’s Tourism Through Technology
After more than a decade of conflict left Syria's digital infrastructure lagging, entrepreneur Rami Kaiem is working to bring the country into the modern age. As the co-founder of the Dubai-based company 121 Living, Kaiem has launched "My Syria," a comprehensive super app designed to streamline tourism. By offering a centralized platform for booking hotels, taxis, and essential services, the app aims to solve the archaic reliance on manual phone calls and offline transactions, effectively putting the country’s hospitality sector on the global map.
Inspired by the efficiency of the UAE’s service industry, Kaiem views this project as a bridge for Syria’s digital transformation. Despite significant logistical hurdles—including international sanctions and the need to modernize local business mindsets—the initiative has received strong backing from the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. With the app currently operational in Damascus and plans for nationwide expansion, it marks a pivotal step toward digitizing the economy. By facilitating international payment methods like Apple Pay and Mastercard, the platform is not only simplifying travel for visitors but also setting a foundation for broader regional growth across the Middle East.