Lebanon’s tourism sector rebounded more strongly than anticipated this summer, though it still fell short of its full potential, according to the Syndicate of Hotel Owners.
Pierre Ashkar, head of the syndicate, told China’s Xinhua news agency that after a slow start, arrivals picked up from July 10, with Beirut hotels reporting 80–90% occupancy rates and regional destinations surpassing 60%. Beirut International Airport handled 3.87 million passengers in the first seven months of 2025, up 3.23% year-on-year, with July alone up 16.25%.
Ashkar described the season as “good,” but limited in scope. While Gulf visitors were present in noticeable numbers, they fell short of expectations. He emphasized Lebanon’s untapped potential: “These results are encouraging, but Lebanon can sustain tourism year-round, not just six weeks. Our natural beauty, culture, and hospitality give us unmatched capacity.”
He noted that the sector could not recover last year’s war-related losses or the delayed start of the 2025 summer season within just six weeks. “With a four-month summer, we would have covered the gap,” he added.
Despite these 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.”
Sources: Xinhua; L’Orient Today
