Factors Affecting the Advancement of the Lebanese Tourism Industry

Food and wine tourism in post-war Lebanon

“…During times of war, tourism activities were diminished due to insecurity, broken transportation and hospitality services, and a tarnished international image; yet the industry always held hope for post-conflict recovery (Kanso). During post-crisis redevelopment phases, tourism growth has been used as an indicator of reconstruction progress and as a tool to help mend the country's war torn image (Ladki & Sadik, 2004). Tourism in modern day Lebanon can be broken down into the following phases: pre-Civil War (1930-1974), Civil War (1975-1991, the interim between the end of the Civil War and the Israeli invasion of Beirut (1991Beirut ( -2006, and post-2006.…”

“…In 1974, just before Civil War broke out in Lebanon, tourism had reached its highest peak, and was contributing roughly 20% to the gross national product (Ladki & Sadik, 2004). Lebanon became a "modernized" and sophisticated destination for European travelers beginning in the 1920's when it was a French protectorate (Citrinot, 2002).…”

“…As Lebanon emerged from the war, the government faced serious debt challenges, as it struggled to rebuild the country's tattered infrastructure and improve social services (Ladki & Dah). The resultant inflation of prices impacted the tourism industry, and even though arrivals increased in the years after the war, the relatively high expense of travel and leisure in Lebanon was a major deterrent to potential return visitors (Ladki & Dah, 1997;Ladki & Sadik, 2004).…”

“…In spite of these ongoing tensions, Citrinot (2002) suggested that the government considered tourism a high priority on its restructuring agenda, and Ladki and Sadik (2004) noted that tourist arrivals began to increase quite remarkably in the years following the war, considering that the seventeen years of violence had brought tourism to a complete "standstill." As Ladki and Sadik have observed, "The tourism sector is the first to suffer from violence and war, and the first to benefit from peace" (as cited in Aboukhalil, 2002, p. 173).…”

“…Though a post-war increase in tourism activity may have spurred some positive economic progression for Lebanon, the industry was also riddled with shortcomings that were prohibitive of healthy growth (Ladki & Sadik, 2004). Ladki and Sadik noted that it is important for attention to be paid to the alleviation of existing problems in the tourist industry in order to make way for suitable growth and for capitalizing on the industry's promising potential.…”