Call for Lebanese Expats to Visit Lebanon This Summer

Pierre Ashkar, the head of the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and the President of the Lebanese Hoteliers Syndicate, issued an appeal today directed at Lebanese expatriates, particularly those residing in Gulf countries, Europe, and Africa. He urged them to come to Lebanon and spend their summer vacations there to help save the tourism season, support tourism institutions and their employees, and bolster the national economy. Ashkar noted that it is currently difficult to rely on a large influx of expatriates living in distant regions such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and Latin America, as most have canceled their reservations and arranged their holidays in other destinations.

Ashkar’s call coincides with ongoing efforts to reach a final ceasefire agreement and the relative return of stability to southern Lebanon, while other Lebanese regions continue to live normal lives, with a rising pace of summer events across various activities.

He also pointed out that despite the absence of a finalized agreement with Israel to end the war, previous understandings have ensured the neutrality of Beirut and its airport, a situation witnessed in recent times that has allowed life in the capital to return to normal.

Ashkar emphasized that their appeal stems from a national responsibility aimed at strengthening Lebanon’s economic and social resilience, expressing confidence that the Lebanese diaspora has historically responded to calls during difficult national moments.

Concluding his statement, Ashkar expressed high hopes in the initiative of the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, and the national efforts he leads to restore confidence in Lebanon, consolidate stability, and rebuild state institutions. He described this as a fundamental pillar to end the cycle of violence and conflict, halt human and material losses, and set the country on a path to recovery. Additionally, he noted that these efforts would enable the tourism sector to benefit from the remainder of the summer season, which serves as a vital oxygen boost helping to protect many tourism institutions from failure or closure.