Lebanon’s tourism rebounds but still below potential according to Hotel Owners Syndicate
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 in a recent interview with China news agency Xinhua.
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. Beirut hotels reported occupancy rates of 80 to 90% while regional destinations exceeded 60%. Beirut international airport recorded 3.87 million passengers in the first 7 months of 2025, up 3.23%. However, July alone saw a jump of 16.25% in total passengers.
Ashkar 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. He cited security concerns, repeated attacks, and regional tensions, particularly the Iranian-Israeli conflict. He pointed that 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 declared to Xinhua.
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 to Xinhua.
(Sources: Xinhua and L’Orient Today)
TravelMole Editorial Team
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