“ATTAL”Globally, the travel industry revenue’ forecasts have been greatly impacted by Covid and the Ukrainian war.The travel industry, together with its sub sectors all suffered a significant decline in the last two years. Moreover, the hospitality industry has also experienced a devastating decline in 2020, with traditionally low occupancy and employment. As a result, the tourism in Lebanon experienced a massive economic blow. However, Lebanon has great potential to recover from the impact due to its historic archeology sites, such as the Roman ruins, to well-preserved castles, limestone caves, ancient Churches and Mosques; also, its moderate beautiful sunny weather with well utilized lovely Mediterranean sea front, world-famed Lebanese cuisine, nonstop nightlife and discothèques… mountains .It looks like it is a promising summer, and all the sectors are really working hard trying to make it a success and benefiting the other sectors on which tourism has important multiplier effects, including civil aviation, handicrafts, agriculture, food and beverage. Having said that, Lebanon really needs such a boost, especially after all the drama we have been through, from the 3rd largest explosion in the world, to the uprising that happened in the last two years and most importantly the failing banking system, which had direct and indirect impacts on tourism. The main hope for Lebanon’s financial recovery and the main source for foreign currency boost is now the Tourism sector. It promises an increase in the employments within the travel, hospitality and the entertainment sectors which would help with the recovery. With hope, positive mindset and our Lebanese friendly multilingual population, we are ready to take it on, as we did in several instances in the past..
RAYMOND WEHBE
SECRETARY GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF TRAVEL AND TOURIST AGENTS LEBANON