Border conflict threatens Lebanon tourism

The Lebanese economy continues to suffer due to the ongoing conflict in Syria and attacks carried out by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) along the border, most recently in the town of al-Qaa.

Early 2016 witnessed an uptick in tourism - a vital industry in Lebanon - that saw hotel occupancy rates reach 70 to 75 percent in May, according to Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon.

But those numbers dropped as a consequence of the bombing of BLOM Bank (Banque du Liban et d'Outre-Mer) headquarters in Beirut on June 12th and the June 27th terrorist attack in al-Qaa.

In the early hours of June 27th, four suicide bombers detonated their explosives belts in the Lebanese border town with Syria, followed by four other suicide bombings in the late evening.

'Come Spend Summer With Us'

The attacks coincided with the start of the summer tourism season, further dampening the already suffering sector.

The drop in the number of visitors to Lebanon, and the almost complete absence of Gulf tourists, has prompted stakeholders in the tourism sector to issue an appeal to tourists and Lebanese expatriates titled "Come Spend Summer With Us".

Tony Ramy, president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs and Pastries in Lebanon, said the appeal seeks to revitalise and promote tourism in its various forms.

"Without a doubt, the tourism sectors [...] are among the most [adversely] affected by the state of instability and mobile terrorism," he told Al-Mashareq.

Ramy said the "the losses incurred by the tourism sectors are huge" as some businesses are closing their doors while others are limping along with little revenue.

"The tourism sector is living under the specter of terrorist acts, especially since it is witnessing the promulgation of acts of terrorism and violence against commercial and tourist complexes, and most recently restaurants," he said.

The syndicate is asking patrons to dismiss unfounded rumors circulating about the potential targeting of restaurants and cafes and to only trust statements issued by the security agencies, he said.

"Tourism is in steep decline due to the ongoing conflict in Syria and the region and its negative impact on Lebanon, which is locked in a battle to fight the terrorism of ISIL and extremist groups," said Jean Beiruti, president of the Association of Tourism Sectors.

"Lebanon has been the target of terrorist acts, but thanks to the efforts of security agencies, it is still better off than other countries in the region because we adapt to all new developments," he told Al-Mashareq.

The tourism sector currently relies on Lebanese expatriates, Beiruti said, noting that expatriates have not cancelled their reservations to visit Lebanon.

"We are also receiving Iraqi, Jordanian and Egyptian tourists in varying numbers," he said. Nonetheless, these tourists account for no more than 60 percent of hotel occupancy, he said.

Decline in Gulf tourism

In regard to the absence of Gulf tourists in Lebanon during the summer, Beiruti said it was a "political decision by the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) that will not be reversed until a comprehensive solution in the region is found".

Last June, GCC countries issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon, primarily because of the ongoing violence in Syria. Lebanese officials have urged GCC countries to reverse the advisory, as Gulf tourists represent about 40 percent of the tourism industry.

Marwan Salha, co-owner of the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, said the tourism and hotel sectors are going through "crucial and rather critical circumstances, due to the decline in Arab and foreign tourism to Lebanon".

"The events in Syria have severely impacted this vital sector, as have the ongoing conflicts in the region and the emergence of a new phenomenon, namely terrorism and terrorist groups, from which Lebanon was not spared," he told Al-Mashareq.

ISIL and al-Nusra Front (ANF) are present on the border and carry out terror acts from time to time that jolt the Lebanese security and economic arenas, he said.

"Despite the security measures taken by the security agencies, summer arrived in Lebanon without its traditional visitors, namely our Gulf brothers who are the basis that drive tourism and increase hotel occupancy rates," Salha said.

"They were supplanted by Iraqi, Jordanian, Egyptian and Syrian tourists and presence of Lebanese expatriates," he said, however these tourists do not account for a large percentage of tourism revenue and do not make up for the absence of Gulf tourists.

"Occupancy rates that used to range between 80 and 85 percent under normal circumstances, especially in 2009-2010, this summer are ranging between 50 and 60 percent despite a drop in hotel room fees, even at five star hotels," he said.