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The minister of tourism Michel Pharaon disclosed yesterday that the tourism industry was forceful and in full bloom this season with over 300 activities across the Lebanese regions and some 90 international music concerts. Sponsoring a ceremony held by the municipal board and mayors of Akkar el 3ateeka for winning the best Lebanese town title for 2016, Pharaon stressed that political conciliation is required for stability and security. In the same spirit, and under the theme ‘Kafarshuba unites us’, the Youth Committee of Kafarshuba organized the seventh village art fiesta on the campus of the town’s public school. The 3-day event arranged in collaboration with the UNDP and sponsored by the municipality of Kafarshuba, aimed at promoting co-existence and harmony amongst the region’s diverse communities. On the sidelines, an exhibition showcased an assortment of artisan crafts and traditional village mouneh items. Meanwhile, minister Pharaon launched during a press conference the first time Tripoli Festivals for 2016 in cooperation with the city’s municipality and ‘Tripoli Hayat’ association. The next month’s 3-day event will take place at the Rashid Karami International Fair and proceeds will go to support efforts fighting the schools dropout crisis. Moreover, the National Committee for Saida International Festivals launched the Tourist City Festivities Program planned this coming September. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, August 18, 2016)

 

A study by the World Bank Group published in Al Akhbar daily has shown that Lebanon faces a serious unemployment crisis prompted by a waning economy that failed during the past decade to create job-motivating incentives or improve the quality of available jobs. According to WB study, some 23 thousand persons pour into the domestic labor market every year, meaning that the economy needs to kick off more than 6 folds of the number of jobs currently available. This, while noting, that the average net prospects during the period from 2004-2007 were 3400 jobs only. The study has also revealed that the rate of unemployment in the country prior to the influx of Syrian refugees recorded 11%, especially among young men and women, with respective 9% percentage among young men against 18% among women. A main cause for the high unemployment rate, the study maintained, is the slow economic growth resulting from the Syrian displacement crisis and the inflating rate of informal work. Subsequently,  the work force soared by 35% with the arrival of large numbers of refugees, while noting that the majority of the incoming labor force is uneducated and lacks proper skills as such: 50% of refugee laborers work in agriculture and domestic services and 12% in construction. 

In a related vein, the Labor Department at the Labor Ministry announced in a statement on Friday that a number of Lebanese male and female employees at private institutions and companies in the Beqaa, Baalbak-Hermel, the North, Akkar and other regions, have been collectively and arbitrarily dismissed from their jobs and replaced by Syrian nationals. The statement added that the labor ministry in response has assigned inspectors, in collaboration with the competent security forces, to shut down the establishments illegitimately competing with Lebanese business owners. 

On this subject, Azzi revealed in an interview with LBCI, that some 10,000 Lebanese workers were forced out of their jobs, noting that companies were deliberately creating unfavorable circumstances for their Lebanese employees in an attempt to force them to submit their resignations, in order to replace them with foreigners. He concluded by warning that the ministry would be referring companies replacing Lebanese workers with foreigners to the judicial authorities. (Al Akhbar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, August 13, 2016).

 

For the list of contravening businesses, please check the link below: http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/263123. ;

To view World Bank report, please check: http://www.databank.com.lb/docs/WorldBank-Good%20Jobs%20March%202013.pdf

 

The council of ministers turned down, in its meeting held last Thursday, an appeal for delaying the current academic year from September 15 to September 18, put forward by tourism minister Michel Pharaon (c.f. http://bit.ly/2aZ2vSW). After the meeting, Pharaon explained that the appeal was denied because registration has already started for the current scholastic year, while Education minister added that such a request may be considered next year. Meanwhile, planned festivals in the various regions are continuing, with Jezzine throwing a fiesta of heritage and art complemented with a traditional exhibition on the sideline showcasing local artisan and agricultural goods as well as village mooneh items. In the Metn area, and as part of the Emigrants Festival activities, the municipality of Dhur el-Shuwayr -Ain Sindyaneh organized a fair for vintage cars dating back to the twenties of last century in addition to spectacular dance shows. (As Safir, Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, August 12, 15, 17, 2016)

 

With the aim of supporting innovative small and medium initiatives, the Fruits of Tripoli Fund signed last Friday a cooperation agreement with Business Incubator affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Tripoli and the North in the presence of a group of concerned figures in addition to the main signatories, former minister Nicolas Nahhas for the Fund and the Chamber’s CEO, Tawfic Dabbussi. On the occasion, Karim Suwaisi, underlined the role of the Fund in promoting and encouraging similar undertakings that prompt the creation of jobs for youth, but noted that each project requires completing a  feasibility study which identifies its nature and details the systematic methodology for its implementation. Nahas, on the other hand, indicated that investment funds, banks and financial markets demand rigorous commitment, related to mortgage and other guarantees, on the part of loan borrowers to support their enterprises. He expressed the Fund’s total readiness to help creative and development-oriented minds. Dabbussi, likewise, while highlighting the vital and central role of the northern capital, added that the timing of the above partnership was appropriate. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, August 13, 2016)

 

 

Lebanon ranked third in the Middle East region in terms of revenues from international tourism with profits reaching nearly USD 6.85 billion last year. According to a report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Lebanon followed the United Arab Emirates with a total US 16 billion and Saudi Arabia at USD 10 billion. The report also indicated that, globally, the tourism sector was affected by threats of terrorism, particularly after the bloody attacks in Egypt, France, Lebanon and Tunisia, and in other countries. On the other hand, the same report pointed out that world tourism industry has witnessed a remarkable growth in the past few years, one of the highest compared to the other sectors of world economy, adding that the US ranked first in terms of tourism revenues during 2015 (USD 204.5 billion in total). In conclusion, the World Tourism Organization report indicated that global tourism was stimulated last year by a number of positive factors, primarily, the decline in oil prices, which in turn reduced the costs of transportation and flights, in addition to the weakening value of the Euro which boosted travel to Europe. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, August 13, 2016)

 

The minister of tourism Michel Pharaon launched yesterday the Qartaba Tourism Festivals in the ‎presence of a large audience. The minister in his address said that while many towns across the ‎country have planned similar activities for next month, he urged his education counterpart Elias ‎Bu Saab to delay the opening of the academic year from the 15th to the 18th of September in ‎order to support the tourism. Pharaon also pointed out that the occupancy rate in various ‎guesthouses during the period from May till October has reached 100%, hence reflecting a ‎growing demand on rural tourism.  In the same vein, and on the sidelines of the Qubeyat summer ‎festivities, the minister of culture, Raymond Oreiji visited last Saturday a market that showcased ‎the different made-in-Akar agricultural, food and artisan products. Touring the diverse stalls, ‎Oreiji stopped to contemplate the Aidamooni handmade rugs bazaar organized by the committee ‎for the revival of the domestic carpet industry. For his part, Aidamoon mayor Kamal Maksud ‎gave a brief presentation of the history of the industry, highlighting its physical and traditional ‎value. In the same vein, the municipality of Kawkaba arranged on Sunday and in cooperation ‎with Green Steps Lebanon, a sports and environmental activity on the model village implemented ‎and supported by USAID and CARITAS to promote the cultivation of cedar trees. On the ‎occasion, Kawkaba mayor, Elie Abu Ncoul, underlined the significance of similar undertakings in ‎spreading cultural awareness, pledging to keep the pace in order to bring the village natives back ‎to their roots. To be noted that the model Kawkaba tourist village is a pioneering hospitality ‎project which is surrounded by pine trees and includes 7 guesthouses, one of them designed to ‎cater for to people with special needs. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, August 8, 10, 11, ‎‎2016)‎

 

The minister of industry, Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan, reiterated the need to revise the signed trade agreements with the European Union and the inter-Arab Agreement for the Facilitation and Promotion of Trade in order to help Lebanon boost its exports from USD 3 billion to USD 5 billion primarily destined to EU, China, Turkey and US markets and from USD 300 million to USD one billion to the EU alone. Haj Hassan, speaking to Al Diyar newspaper on August 8, mentioned an imbalance in trade relations during the past 14 years, which is clearly seen in the rise of EU exports to Lebanon from USD 2 billion to USD 8.5 billion against a slight increase of Lebanese exports to the EU to USD 300 million. The minister attributed this to unfair conditions stipulated in relevant international trade agreements. Indeed, and according to said arrangements, customs tariffs between member countries are lifted completely, contrary to what is the case with Lebanon, where customs were only reduced and all forms of protection annihilated. When Lebanon entered the EU or its corresponding Arab agreements, “we expected to get access to some 500 million European and some 300 million Arab consumers,” Haj Hassan clarified, adding, “exports have barely reached USD 3 billion, why?” On the other hand, the Lebanese minister categorically denied the existence of any political disagreement with the EU, “but as you know, a friend in need, is a friend indeed, why don’t they show up.” When asked about the fierce competition to domestic industries from the Syrian neighbor, Haj Hassan played down the argument which lays the blame for the present economic crisis on completion form Syria. “The total size of Syrian goods entering Lebanon does not exceed USD 200 to 300 million, while the majority of our imports come from EU states (nearly USD 8.5 billion), China (USD 3.5 billion), Turkey (USD one billion) and the US (USD one billion).” The minister finally disclosed that preparations are underway to kick off serious talks with the EU on this matter, as he puts it. (Al Diyar, August 8, 2016)

 

The peaceful town of Akkar al 3ateeqa won the title of the best Lebanese village for the year 2016 organized by L’Orient Le Jour daily newspaper, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and with sponsorship of Fransabank (c.f.http://bit.ly/2b31SWg). The competition it should be said was heated between the contesting towns of Dhur el Shuwayr, Duma, Hammana, Jezzine, Kfardebian, Rashayya al Wadi, Sarafand and Yamooneh. Extending along 40 square kilometers, Akkar al Ateeqa is located in North Lebanon within the district of Akkar and embraces nearly 17000 inhabitants. The village, some 135 km away from the capital, Beirut, boasts archeological castles, traditional houses and historic mosques, besides its breathtaking nature, spring falls and the caves of Zebud going back to the Canaanite Era.The results of the votes came as follows:

Akkar al 3ateeqa: 57,158 (46.9%), Ehden 47 480 (39%), Kfardebian 8830 (7.3%), Duma 2919 (2.4%), Hammana in 1471 (1.2%), Jezzine 1049 (0, 9%), Rashaya al Wadi 994 (0.8%), Dhur el-Shuwayr 909 (0.7%), Sarafand 644 (0.5%), and Yamooneh 305 (0.3%), noting that the total number of voters reached 121 579 votes. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, August 9, 2016)

 

A report on the regional hospitality market in the first half of 2016 has shown a decline in the performance of the sector in Beirut. The survey conducted by the multinational professional services firm, Ernst & Young, indicated that the rate of occupancy in the four and five star hotels in Beirut has fallen to 54% during the first half of the current year, compared the to 57% for the same period of last year. Interestingly enough, Beirut came 10th among a list of 14 cities in terms of the highest rate of occupancy, (ahead of Mecca, Manama and Amman but behind Riyadh and Cairo). The report also revealed a drop in the average rates of rooms in the Lebanese capital during the first half of 2016 (from USD164 in 2015 to USD 135 this year), representing the highest decline among the 14 mentioned cities. To recall, the average rate of rooms in Beirut (ranked 12th) recorded the highest score in the region after Ras al Khaima and Amman, but beating each of Cairo and Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, the survey indicated that proceeds from room occupancy have dropped by an annual rate of 21.7% during the first half of 2016 (USD 74 against USD 94 in 2015). (Al Akhbar, August 9, 2016)

 

Summer school students of the National Orthodox School in Akkar, organized on Wednesday a campaign to support Akkar al 3ateeqa which is competing for  the title of Best Lebanese Town sponsored by L’Orient Le Jour newspaper. In his address to participating students, the school director, MP Nidal Tohmeh, lauded their spirit of initiative urging them to keep committed to local development issues. He stressed the importance of voting to strengthen the determination of the town to reinstate itself on the tourism map. “This is part of the responsibility of every native of Akkar,” Tohmeh said. Together, he added, “we raise our voice to help Akkar al 3ateeqa become a gateway  for the needs of its community, including the completion of the Lebanese University project there.” In conclusion, Tohmeh cast his vote in front of the students who followed each in turn. (L’Orient Le Jour, August 5, 2016)

 

Previous related news: 

‘Favorite village’ competition to promote rural tourism in Lebanon