PM Tammam optimistic about rural tourism in Lebanon

Prime Minister Tammam Salam announced yesterday the launch of the rural tourism strategy saying that “security stability realized in the past 10 months in some areas of Lebanon allows us to achieve progress in the field of tourism”. The PM was speaking at a press conference at the Grand Serail in the presence of the Minister of Tourism Michel Pharaon, Minister of Information Ramzi Jreij, Minister of Environment Mohammed Al Mashnuq, Minister of Culture Rony Areiji and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Abdul Mutalleb Hinnawi, as well a other parliamentary, diplomatic, political and municipal officials. In his speech, the Minister of Tourism pointed out that a growth rate target in rural tourism ranging from 5% to 20% should be paralleled by plans to implement balanced development and to curb rural and migration and migration to other countries. In addition, he said, efforts should be focused on the development of rural areas, environmental awareness-raising and preservation of rural community resources. Marketing of local resources should be carried out domestically and abroad among the Diaspora and Lebanese expatriates should be encouraged to return and invest home. For his part, the Environment Minister called for adopting the concept of rural tourism aimed at strengthening man’s bond with his land, rather than forcing him to relocate or emigrate.
Similarly, the Information Minister presented the rural tourism strategy which included the following components: develop rural tourism, institutionalize its across Lebanon, protect cultural environmental heritage, improve public policies related to the tourism sector, namely legislations, promote rural tourism among the young generation, foster collaboration between various public and private institutions and finally, develop international relations in this field”.
(Al Diyar, Al Nahar, As-Safir, Feb 12, 2015)