Tourist trail between Jbeil and Batroon to generate employment

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) launched on Tuesday the new touristic circuit entitled ‘rural routes between Jbeil and Batroon’ which links together 20 villages in the area. The project, completed in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Jbeil and PRODES Association (Promotion et Developpement Social), is expected to expand economic prospects, especially for women, and create jobs along the designated path. It comes as part of the rural tourism strategy kicked off by the ministry in February 2015 with the contribution of civil society. It helps to promote rural tourism as basis for the growth of rural economy and inspires cooperation between local stakeholders and the private sector to enhance economic growth. Moreover, the new circuit promotes touristic attractions of each village by highlighting its historic information, landmarks and rural activities on hand, and the accessible hospitality services, from restaurants to guesthouses. It should be noted that PRODES, active in building the capacities of women, has developed a training system to activate their role in presenting their rural communities in the context of preparing the groundwork of the above touristic path. (OLJ and Al Diyar 22,23 February 2017)