In the presence of representatives of tourism agencies, syndicates and the media, the minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, announced on Friday the launch on May 25th and 26th of the ‘Visit Lebanon 2017’ project. Guidanian said the initiative, organized by exhibition planner in Europe and North Africa, Global Network, seeks to promote Lebanon as a touristic destination aided with the present atmosphere of security and political stability. The 2-day forum event, Guidanian explained, is expected to attract the largest number of travel and leisure companies, tour operators, festival and conference organizers, and others. The aim is to introduce them to the country and facilitate meetings and ultimately the signing of deals with hotels, restaurants, congress centers, etc. The minister revealed that the first campaign has been kicked off and targeted all sectors of tourism outside Lebanon. So far, he added, and through direct contacts and social networking, around 850 companies from 60 countries have showed interest to participate. Thanking tourism sectors for their responsiveness and cooperation to implement the project, the tourism minister did not forget to commend the role of the private sector in helping those companies become exceptional and boom. (Al Diyar, April 21, 2017)