The mood is somber in Lebanon's tourism industry as leaders look ahead to the summer season. Reflecting on the promising summer of 2023, which followed three years of setbacks, they are now losing hope for a rebound, especially with the threat of war in the south casting a shadow.
Israeli predictions suggest a hot summer ahead for Lebanon, adding to concern about tourism.
Pierre Ashkar, who heads the Hotel Owners Syndicate, says hotel bookings have been practically non-existent since October. He blames this on the expected heat and ongoing conflict in the south.
Ashkar noted that many hotels, especially in Beirut, are partially closed without official announcements. In Mount Lebanon, about 90% of hotels are mostly shut down, though their owners haven’t made it public. This has led to fewer staff, with uncertainty about what’s next.
Reflecting on last year’s summer season, Ashkar recalled it as “excellent” after years of struggle. He attributed this success to a significant influx of foreign tourists. However, he now acknowledged a bleak outlook due to embassy warnings against travel to Lebanon, which discourages potential visitors.
Ashkar stressed that a ceasefire announcement would quickly improve the situation.
“This and next month are crucial for Lebanon’s tourism. If the war stops, we'll see a surge in bookings. But if it continues, we’ll lose the summer season gradually,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Highlighting Lebanon’s heavy reliance on tourism, which contributes 40% to the GDP, Ashkar warns of significant losses if the security situation in the south remains unstable or deteriorates due to war.
“Tourism drives Lebanon’s economy. If the season falters, it will hurt the flow of foreign currency, slow down spending, and lead to job losses, especially for young people,” warned economic expert Walid Abu Sleiman.
Assessing the losses, Abu Sleiman noted that direct tourism revenues last year reached about $3.5 billion. He estimated losses in the sector during the eight-month war at around $200 million, with restaurants and cafes hit hard, and hotels suffering the most.
