Tourism News

[ramynasser]

Originally Posted by AmeriLEB

Plan to boost tourism from Eastern Europe
Discounted tours focus on beaches, sightseeing, nightlife


The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) will be working closely with Russian and Ukrainian travel agencies to stimulate the inflow of tourists from these countries.

The Middle East Airlines (MEA) has already agreed to implement this strategy through increasing the number of daily flights from Moscow to Beirut. Khaled Aridi, Incoming Manager at Nakhal Travel, said: “The Eastern European markets are highly active and have great potential as tourists coming from these countries are often from the upper social class and have a relatively high purchasing power.” Aridi said: “They mainly stay in four and five stars hotels, and spend in high-end stores.”

Incoming trips from Russia and Ukraine will increase as long as the offers are attractive and the situation is stable, Aridi said. Tourists from Ukraine and Russia seek mostly beach holidays and nightlife, according to Aridi: “This is why packages targeting these tourists must include beach breaks and nightlife, along with visits to natural reserves such as Jeita.”

Discounted packages (accommodation in a four-star hotel for a week) start at $400. Visas are given upon arrival.

However, the number of tourists from these countries is still minimal, and does not exceed five percent of the overall tourists number. “Egypt, Dubai, Turkey, and Israel are severe competitors when it comes to Eastern European tourists,” Aridi said.

In line with this strategy, several tourist agencies have been working on marketing local tourism through regional agencies. “We have started working closely with Turkish tourism agencies to include Beirut in their tours as a must-visit city,” Aridi said. The regional circumstances did not help tourism, especially when it comes to the persisting turmoil in Syria.
Reported by Rana Freifer

This is very nice and important. However if we think about it closely as they mentioned in the article and as we all know eastern europe tourists prefer cities like sharm el sheikh, varna, ayia napa, bodrum ... Those are cities where you can access "FREE" and "CLEAN" beach easily from your hotel then party at night.

Party in lebanon is easy however we can't really access all beaches especially in beirut where to be honest i can't go to ramlet el bayda Beach for well known reasons whom we all agree on though i live next to it. So eventually i see BYBLOS as the best city for such tourism Batroun as well. Basically the region between jbeil and Batroun should be well invested.

[libano80]

MEA cannot increase the daily flights to Moscow, since they do not fly there, and Aeroflot operates 2/3 flights per week to BEY. What they have to do is to open a direct flight BEY-SVE/DME, and codeshare with Aeroflot (other member of skyteam) to an infinity of internal russian destinations...
Enough with this turtle-steps policy....

[AmeriLEB]

Originally Posted by libano80

MEA cannot increase the daily flights to Moscow, since they do not fly there, and Aeroflot operates 2/3 flights per week to BEY. What they have to do is to open a direct flight BEY-SVE/DME, and codeshare with Aeroflot (other member of skyteam) to an infinity of internal russian destinations...
Enough with this turtle-steps policy....

Very interesting. Wonder why they would say "increasing flights". Maybe they meant will be flying..hmm

[AmeriLEB]

Saudi envoy expects promising
tourism season in Lebanon

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri said in remarks published on Thursday that Saudi national have been flocking to Lebanon for the purpose of tourism.

“The positive atmosphere has reflected on Saudi nationals,” Assir told An-Nahar newspaper, adding that “several planes filled with Saudi passengers and [others] from the Gulf have landed in Beirut in recent days.”

“We are anticipating a promising tourist season if such indicators remain positive,” he added.

The Saudi envoy also said that his country’s ties will all Lebanese political parties was good, including Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and Hezbollah.

“There is no rift between Saudi Arabia and any Lebanese party, General Michel Aoun is welcome just like any other Lebanese personality, regardless of his or her political line,” Assiri said.

He also noted that his country and Hezbollah are “constantly in contact, in different ways.”

“An honest and loyal dialogue with Hezbollah can resolve all problems, or at least frame the problems correctly,” Assiri said.

On Tuesday, Caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil, who represents the Change and Reform bloc, held a meeting with the Saudi envoy in a bid to portray a peaceful relationship between the two parties.

[AmeriLEB]

Salam’s appointment boosts tourism
April 26, 2013 01:09 AM
By Mohamad El Amin
The Daily Star

BEIRUT: The tourism sector has seen a significant improvement over the past few weeks, experts told The Daily Star, as Gulf Cooperation Council states seem to have eased travel warnings that have discouraged their citizens from visiting Lebanon for more than a year.

Hotel occupancy rates have risen consistently to over 60 percent following Tammam Salam’s appointment as prime minister from between 28 to 50 percent before March, Pierre Achkar, head of the Hotel Owners Association, told The Daily Star.

He said occupancy rates had reached 82 percent for a brief period during this month, which was a very good indicator, and that similar figures had not been reached in 18 months.

“The hotel business is like a stock market. When the political situation improves like what happened upon the appointment of Salam, you automatically see an improvement in the occupancy rates and the whole tourism industry,” he said.

However, Achkar estimated that hotel room prices remained 40 percent below their pre-2011 rates, back when Lebanon’s tourism sector was booming.

Speaking this week to a delegation of visitors from the Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal business conference group, the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon was upbeat about the return of his country’s investors and tourists to Lebanon.

“I am relieved and ready to encourage Saudi businessmen in the [Arab Economic Forum]. ... There is improvement in the general climate, and more improvement in political and security conditions would encourage tourists, particularly GCC citizens, to spend their vacations in Lebanon.”

UAE-based Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced Wednesday it was increasing its services between Sharjah and Beirut to 14 flights a week from nine, signaling an increase in demand for travel to Lebanon.

Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport sources told The Daily Star there was an estimated 20 percent increase in the number of tourists coming to Lebanon since Salam’s posting.

Rotana Hotels’ three properties in Lebanon – Gefinor Rotana, Raouche Arjaan and Tamar Rotana – saw an increase in bookings and demand in the past few weeks, a spokesperson for the hotels said.

“This is somehow associated with the events done by the NGOs [non-governmental organizations], conferences and exhibitions such as Horeca and Project Lebanon,” they added.

But it was too early to predict what the summer would be like, especially considering that during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan occupancy falls significantly, the hotel representative added.

The tourism sector has greatly declined in the past two years. The number of tourists entering Lebanon in the first quarter of 2013 decreased 12.5 percent to 274,663 from 313,854 tourists a year earlier. In comparison to 2011, the decline was around 20 percent.

In March, the profitability of Beirut’s hotel industry fell 34.9 percent according to a RevPAR indicator, which is calculated by multiplying a hotel’s average daily room rate by its occupancy rate. That was the largest decrease in the region, STR Global said in a report published Thursday.

[AmeriLEB]

The Luxury Collection Hotels and Resorts debuts in Lebanon with Grand Hills


Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that Grand Hills Hotel and Spa in Broumana - an upscale mountain resort town near Beirut, Lebanon - will join its iconic Luxury Collection portfolio. Owned by Mouawad Village Broumana Sal., Grand Hills, a Luxury Collection Resort will mark the brand's entry into Lebanon when it opens in early 2015 following a complete renovation.
The milestone opening will reinforce The Luxury Collection's global growth as the brand remains on track to surpass 100 hotels by the end of 2016.

"We are delighted to partner with Mouawad Village Broumana Sal as we introduce The Luxury Collection brand to the magnificent country of Lebanon, further strengthening Starwood's position as the world's leader in luxury hospitality," comments Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. "The addition of Grand Hills to The Luxury Collection brand portfolio underlines our commitment to providing global explorers with authentic travel experiences and exceptional service."

Robert Mouawad from Mouawad Village Broumana Sal commented, "I very much look forward to having our exceptional property become part of The Luxury Collection portfolio. After considering many global hotel partners, we feel Starwood's Luxury Collection brand is the best fit for Grand Hills Hotel & Spa and in line with our vision of providing an extraordinary experience to our guests."

Currently The Luxury Collection is an ensemble of more than 85 of the finest hotels around the world, spanning 30 countries, offering the brand's signature concierge service, luxury amenities and indigenous cultural experiences. When the hotel debuts next year, Grand Hills will introduce extraordinary experiences and impeccable service to the most discerning global travellers.

Originally opened in 2000, Grand Hills was designed in typical Lebanese mountain resort style. Under Starwood's Luxury Collection brand, the resort will feature 115 rooms and 53 suites, as well as three restaurants and two bars. Leisure facilities at the resort will include three indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a fitness centre and a retail gallery. Grand Hills will also offer extensive events and conference facilities including two ballrooms, an amphitheatre and six meeting rooms.

Located amidst majestic hills at 750 metres above sea level in Broumana - a lush, charming and tranquil pedestrian village to the east of Beirut, Grand Hills will offer mesmerising views of the Zaarour Mountains and Mediterranean Sea. The resort is within close proximity of the Lebanese capital's city centre, the beach and Rafic Hariri International Airport, and around an hour's drive from archaeological sites and historic cities like Baalbek, Sidon and Byblos.

Starwood Strengthens Luxury Position

In the last five years, Starwood has doubled its global luxury room count to meet growing global demand. With more than 160 luxury hotels operating under the St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W brands, Starwood has the largest footprint of luxury hotels in the industry.

"The Luxury Collection brand offers an exquisite blend of indigenous travel experiences and unparalleled service that appeals to today's luxury travellers," says Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. "The addition of Grand Hills into Starwood and The Luxury Collection portfolio reinforces our continued commitment to expand our luxury portfolio throughout the Middle East with a strong focus on conversions to bring unique properties into the Starwood family that can benefit from our leading lifestyle brands and powerful global systems."

Starwood currently operates two hotels in Lebanon: Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun in Beirut and Four Points by Sheraton Bhamdoun. Grand Hills will be the company's first luxury hotel in Lebanon when it opens in 2015.