‘Favorite village’ competition to promote rural tourism in Lebanon

The minister of tourism, Michel Pharaon launched yesterday so-called ‘Favorite Village’ competition during a press conference held at the ministry, in the presence of Ziad Makhul, the editor of the event’s sponsor, L’Orient Le Jour daily. Makhul pointed out that the newspaper adopted the idea of the project which was first brought up by a colleague and was presented to and approved immediately by the tourism ministry for implementation. Makhul clarified that villages have been nominated for three consecutive years, 10 names for each year and the Lebanese are invited to vote for their favorite one accordingly. The contestant villages for this year’s title are: Old Akkar, Dhoor Chweir, Duma, Ehden, Hammana, Rashayya, Kfrazebian, Sarafand and Yammooneh. Voting will start on July 23 and will close on August 6 and the winner village will be announced on August 8. On the subject, Pharaon underlined the vitality of the undertaking which is associated with the larger ‘rural tourism’ initiative launched recently by his ministry. Pharaon stressed that the beauty criterion is highlighted for a bigger aim which is the creation of jobs for inhabitants and boosting their steadfastness to their land. It also aims to preserve the heritage and sites that are sometimes violated in terms of disrespect to the environment and relevant laws. Such projects that map the country’s different regions, the minister maintained, can draw attention to traditional villages and the guesthouses they embrace.” Around 100 guesthouses in Lebanon are now recorded, with nearly 100% rate of occupancy during the period from May to October. Pharaon finally mentioned that the rural tourism sector, which in the past represented 5% to 6% of the overall tourism industry, now occupies about 8.5% expected to reach 20% in five years. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, July 12, 2016)