Tourism Minister Convenes Meeting with Industry Leaders to Address Sector Crisis

Tourism Minister Laura Lahoud hosted a delegation of industry leaders from Lebanon's tourism sector as part of her ongoing oversight of developments in the field.

The meeting brought together Pierre Al-Ashqar, who heads the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and the Syndicate of Hotel Owners; Tony Rami, head of the Syndicate of Restaurant, Café and Nightclub Owners; Jean Beiruti, head of the Syndicate of Owners of Tourist Establishments; and Jean Abboud, head of the Syndicate of Owners of Tourism and Travel Offices.

During the gathering, participants outlined the mounting pressures facing the tourism industry, detailing both the immediate and cascading economic impacts stemming from the prevailing security situation. The sector has experienced a steep contraction, with visitor arrivals plummeting by more than 75 percent.

The delegation and the minister explored collaborative approaches and strategies aimed at stabilizing and revitalizing tourism activity, seeking pathways that could help the industry sustain operations during this challenging period.