October 12, 2026
Minister of Tourism Laura Lahoud included digital transformation and artificial intelligence technologies at the core of the new strategy for developing the tourism sector in Lebanon, stressing that these steps aim to facilitate services, improve the visitor experience, and develop the sector according to sustainable standards.
This came during the Minister’s participation in the “Experia” conference, where she explained that the concept of “smart tourism” is based on harnessing technology to serve all stages of the tourist journey, for the benefit of the visitor, private institutions and the public sector alike, with a focus on enhancing integration between the public and private sectors and the media.
In the administrative context, Lahoud revealed a package of reforms that include the launch of a new digital platform for licensing and administrative services to enhance transparency, efficiency, and follow up on obstacles, in addition to establishing the first integrated digital database for licensed tourism establishments with their locations geographically determined on the national map, stressing the importance of providing accurate data.
She also recalled the launch of the “Lebanese Ministry of Tourism” application, which provides customized trip programs and instant recommendations that suit the visitor’s interests and budget, pointing out that artificial intelligence tools help tourism institutions in predicting occupancy rates, managing inventory, and analyzing customer reviews to address shortcomings.
The Minister pointed out the importance of human feelings and understanding local life in entrenching destinations in visitors’ memories, stressing the Ministry’s keenness to support regions to assemble their components into tourism products that are quickly accessible and implemented, while preserving the personal touch that gives each experience its unique character.
Lahoud concluded by stressing the centrality of the role of responsible media, hospitality networks, and the private sector in raising standards and exchanging experiences, stressing that the sustainability of tourism requires comprehensive integration that goes beyond the borders of the Ministry of Tourism, to ensure building capabilities and capabilities that leave a sustainable impact even after the visitor leaves.
