Devastating Loss for Lebanese Tourism: Can Sustainable Peace Save It?

Pierre Achkar, President of the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and Head of the Hotel Owners' Union, offered congratulations on the occasion of World Tourism Day, stressing "the importance of this occasion which confirms the great status that tourism occupies in the lives of peoples and its position in the economies of nations."

Achkar noted that "tourism now constitutes 9.8% of the global gross domestic product in 2025, with a value reaching approximately $11.6 trillion in global income, reflecting its importance to the world economy and the development process, as well as its role in creating job opportunities."

He emphasized that "the tourism sector is considered one of the most important sectors for humanity, being a fundamental pillar of the global economy and one of the most prominent sectors generating employment, in addition to its role in bringing joy and happiness to the lives of people around the world amidst the major challenges they face."

In contrast, Achkar expressed deep regret over "what has become of the state of the tourism sector in Lebanon, due to instability and almost continuous wars since 2023, which cast shadows over the tourism sector and pushed it to record significant declines, despite the role it played in leading resilience efforts and supporting the economy during 2023, in the phase following the economic collapse."

Achkar revealed that "the crisis suffered by the sector is no longer limited to usual seasonal stagnation, but was accompanied this year by wars and security developments that significantly weakened operational activity."

He also disclosed that "figures show a decline in the number of Lebanese expatriates during the summer season by between 30 and 40 percent," noting that revenues for the majority of hotels in Lebanon fell by about 40 percent, while the restaurant sector recorded a similar decline.

Achkar stressed that "the problem lies not only in losing 40 percent of revenues, but in the fact that this decline coincides with rising costs borne by tourism establishments, increasing the pressures they face."

On this occasion, Achkar emphasized that "wars are the first enemy of tourism, and that it is impossible in any way to mobilize and develop the tourism sector without providing stability and sustainable peace, particularly restricting weapons to the hands of the Lebanese state, in implementation of the state's decision and relevant Arab and international resolutions."

Achkar concluded by affirming that "when these positive conditions are available, we are confident that the tourism sector will achieve great accomplishments, which would place Lebanon among the most competitively tourist-oriented countries at both regional and global levels."