Lebanon’s tourism industry is showing early signs of improvement in 2015, as visitors from the Gulf countries have been registering a strong increase with double-digit growth from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as well as Egypt and Iran.

Tourist arrivals increased for the ninth month in a row in February, up year-on-year by 20.5 per cent (175, 859 visitors) in the first two months of the year, and hotel occupancy figures for Beirut hotels are expected to hit up to 49 per cent, a report said.

“Lebanon has long been a favoured long weekend destination for GCC residents, and the added resurgence in Egyptian, and particularly, Iraqi tourists, in recent months, has created new demand,” said Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager for Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which takes place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, from May 4 to 7.

According to a report from Bank Audi Research Centre, this is supported by a rise in passenger traffic at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, which grew by 10.24 per cent year-on-year in the first two months of 2015, recording 419,369 passenger movements, a record high for the period.

“Lebanon’s diverse tourism product encompasses the stylish capital of Beirut with its chic cosmopolitan ambience and reputation for luxury retail, through to trendy beach locations, stunning natural beauty and mountain ranges, ancient cities and architectural heritage. This is a solid foundation on which to rebuilt interest and drive inbound arrivals,” said Noblet.

“In April 2014, Lebanon’s Ministry of Tourism launched its ‘Live, Love, Lebanon’ campaign, and this was a clear indicator of the government’s commitment to reviving the country’s tourism prospects as a major economic driver,” she added.

Lebanese companies exhibiting at this year’s ATM include SAAD Transport SAL, World Net Hotels, Rida International and Warwick MENA Hotel Management Company. – TradeArabia News Service