Key officials unyielding, in their claims that Lebanon’s summer season remains acceptable

Notwithstanding the security perils following Al Qa3 blasts early this week and the  BLOM bank bomb and the surfacing of information about planned terrorist attacks against specific recreational and commercial neighborhoods, yet, touristic circles seemed buoyant and optimistic in their attempts to play down above threats. To this effect, the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon, issued yesterday a statement urging customers of such venues not to panic but “restrictively follow the directives released by competent security departments.” The statement confirmed that all touristic establishments are on guard and have taken maximum precautionary measures in this direction. Likewise, the minister of tourism, Michel Pharaon, while pointing out that it is difficult to predict the security situation in the days of Eid, reiterated the placating announcement by Pierre Ashkar, President of the Lebanese Federation of Tourism Industries, that hotel and flight bookings for the summer have not been affected to date. Pharaon also denied reports of possible attacks targeting summer festivals. For its part, An Nahar newspaper noted that that professionals are working through promotional campaigns and activities to attract tourists from abroad, and indicated that the rate of occupancy during the Fitr Eid season is still expected to reach a high of 70% to 80% in the regions and 90% in the capital, Beirut, and that is according to industry sources. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, July 1, 2016)