The head of the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and the head of the Hotel Syndicate, Pierre Al-Ashqar, confirmed that the tourism movement witnessed some improvement during the month of July, especially with the arrival of numbers of expatriates to Lebanon.
Al-Ashqar revealed, in a statement, that the occupancy rate in Beirut hotels is about 40%, while the percentages vary in mountainous areas, as they rise during the weekend to about 60%, and decrease on normal days to about 30%.
Al-Ashqar pointed out that expatriates came to Lebanon from various parts of the world, although the percentage of arrivals from distant regions was lower, noting that good occupancy rates were recorded in various tourist areas, whether mountainous or coastal, stressing that “every area available to receive visitors attracts numbers of expatriates.”
He pointed out that the positive atmosphere that prevailed in the country, especially after the recent visit of President Joseph Aoun to the White House and the accompanying communications, contributed to reassuring citizens and enhancing the level of optimism.
Al-Ashqar expected that tourism movement would witness further improvement during the month of August, considering it the peak of the tourist season, stressing at the same time that this improvement remains linked not only to the internal situation in Lebanon, but also to regional developments, saying: “The entire region is going through a delicate phase, and we are living day by day.”
Al-Ashqar added, “Today a positive atmosphere prevails in Lebanon, and there are lands that are gradually being liberated, and displaced people are returning to their areas, and all of this enhances people’s optimism and encourages them to go out and spend.”
