BEIRUT, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's tourism sector rebounded more strongly than expected this summer but still fell short of its full potential, the country's hotel owners' syndicate said on Wednesday.
Pierre Ashkar, head of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners in Lebanon, said that after a slow start, tourism began to pick up from July 10, with Beirut hotels reporting occupancy rates of 80 to 90 percent and regional destinations exceeding 60 percent. He described the season as "good" but limited in scope.
"There was a visible Gulf presence this summer, but not at the level we had hoped," Ashkar said, citing security concerns, repeated attacks, and regional tensions, particularly the Iranian-Israeli conflict. He said Saudi Arabia's travel ban and European warnings against visiting Lebanon also weighed on arrivals.
Ashkar stressed that Lebanon's tourism potential remained untapped. "These results are encouraging, but Lebanon can sustain tourism year-round, not just for six weeks. Our natural beauty, culture, and hospitality give us an unmatched capacity," he said.
He added that the sector could not make up for last year's war losses or the delayed start of this summer season in just six weeks of activity. "With a four-month summer, we would have covered the gap," he said.
Despite the challenges, Ashkar expressed optimism. "Lebanon is among the fastest countries to recover. With stability and security, it can reclaim its place as a top destination in the Arab world," he said. ■
