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Lebanon Expects to Receive 1 Mn Tourists this Summer

A tourist takes a picture of fellow tourists at the sea castle in Sidon, Lebanon (File photo: Reuters)
A tourist takes a picture of fellow tourists at the sea castle in Sidon, Lebanon (File photo: Reuters)
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Lebanon Expects to Receive 1 Mn Tourists this Summer

A tourist takes a picture of fellow tourists at the sea castle in Sidon, Lebanon (File photo: Reuters)
A tourist takes a picture of fellow tourists at the sea castle in Sidon, Lebanon (File photo: Reuters)

Lebanon expects to receive one million tourists this summer, with 600,000 visitors already arriving in the country, caretaker Tourism Minister Walid Nassar said.

The latest data showed a 77 percent increase in travelers through Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut since the beginning of the year.

Nassar expressed his "optimism about the tourist season," saying in a statement during his participation in the "B Nos Jounieh" festival that over one million tourists are expected to arrive, and hoping for stability.

He said that despite the difficult economic conditions and the scarcity of funds in the municipalities, it is possible through creative ideas to create an atmosphere and restore joy to citizens while reviving the economic cycle.

On the eve of Eid al-Adha, about 30,000 passengers arrive daily through the airport, most Lebanese residents and expatriates.

The number of passengers at the airport in the first week of July increased 44.91 percent, compared to the same period last year, and reached 183,352 passengers.

Lebanon's National News Agency said that at the end of June, the number of passengers arriving through the airport increased during the first half of this year.

About 2,568,797 passengers arrived in Lebanon, compared to 1,444 502 passengers in 2021, which amounts to a 77.83 percent increase and a 113 percent increase over the same period in 2020.

However, the figures showed a decline of about 35 percent from the first half of 2019, when 4,400,523 passengers arrived at the airport.

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Saudi Arabia Sees Highest Level of Non-oil Private Sector Activity in 4 Months

The 1.5-point increase in the PMI reflects a larger expansion in both output and new orders. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The 1.5-point increase in the PMI reflects a larger expansion in both output and new orders. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Sees Highest Level of Non-oil Private Sector Activity in 4 Months

The 1.5-point increase in the PMI reflects a larger expansion in both output and new orders. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The 1.5-point increase in the PMI reflects a larger expansion in both output and new orders. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Business activity in Saudi Arabia's non-oil sector accelerated to a four-month high in September, driven by strong demand, which led to faster growth in new orders. The Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), adjusted for seasonal factors, rose to 56.3 points from 54.8 in August, marking the highest reading since May and further distancing itself from the 50.0 level that indicates growth.

The 1.5-point increase in the PMI reflects a larger expansion in both output and new orders, alongside challenges in supply. The improvement in business conditions contributed to a significant rise in employment opportunities, although difficulties in finding skilled workers led to a shortage in production capacity.

At the same time, concerns over increasing competition caused a decline in future output expectations. According to the PMI statement, inventories of production inputs remained in good condition, which encouraged some companies to reduce their purchasing efforts.

Growth was strong overall and widespread across all non-oil sectors under study. Dr. Naif Al-Ghaith, Senior Economist at Riyad Bank, said that the rise in Saudi Arabia's PMI points to a notable acceleration in the growth of the non-oil private sector, primarily driven by increased production and new orders, reflecting the sector’s expansionary activity.

Al-Ghaith added that companies responded to the rise in domestic demand, which plays a crucial role in reducing the Kingdom's reliance on oil revenues. The upward trend also indicates improved business confidence, pointing to a healthy environment for increased investment, job creation, and overall economic stability.

He emphasized that this growth in the non-oil sector is particularly important given the current context of reduced oil production and falling global oil prices. With oil revenues under pressure, the strong performance of the non-oil private sector acts as a buffer, helping mitigate the potential impact on the country's economic conditions.

Al-Ghaith continued, noting that diversifying income sources is essential to maintaining growth amid the volatility of oil markets. He explained that increased production levels not only enhance the competitiveness of Saudi companies but also encourage developments aimed at expanding the private sector's participation in the economy.

This shift, he said, provides a more stable foundation for long-term growth, making the economy less susceptible to oil price fluctuations.