www.middleeast-online.com The number of tourists visiting Lebanon increased by over a quarter in 2004, as visitors continue to flood back to the country after its 15-year civil war, officials said.
A record 1.28 million tourists visited Lebanon in 2004 compared with 1.02 million in 2003, the tourism ministry said, showing that the country is winning back its pre-war reputation as one of the most sought-after destinations in the Middle East.
Arabs form the majority of visitors, preferring to holiday in Lebanon rather than the United States, where they feel unweclome after the September 11 attacks, or Europe, where the high value of the euro is a strong deterrent.
Lebanon boasts a range of attractions, including the Roman remains of Baalbek, historic old coastal towns, as well as clubbing and shopping in its reinvigorated capital Beirut.
It is also one of the few countries in the region able to offer challenging and reliable skiing opportunities in its mountains. The tourism sector, along with Arab investment, have provided a welcome boost to the Lebanese economy, which enjoyed five percent growth in 2004. |