Waning tourist and commercial activity during Adha across Lebanon

The President of Hotel Owners in Lebanon Pierre Achkar pointed out that the hotel occupancy rate during Eid Al Adha did not exceed 40-50% across Lebanon, stressing that the tourism sector is living its worst days. Achkar was speaking to As Safir daily which after touring a number of establishments concluded that the tourism crisis has escalated during the past few weeks, especially with the accumulation of garbage in the streets, increasing power cuts and water rationing in many areas. The newspaper highlighted that numerous institutions are seriously thinking of closing their businesses.

In its follow up of the subject, As Safir also quoted commercial business owners in the southern port city of Saida as saying that this year’s Adha holidays activities were limited to window shopping or small purchases, stressing that only 20-25% of inhabitants made real purchases or holiday shopping. The newspaper went on to explain the reasons behind the unfavorable  situation in the city’s markets, particularly, the presence of alternative outlet stores, malls and hypermarkets in Saida’s close and far neighborhoods and suburbs. Similarly, As Safir indicated that the tourism bustle in Tyre during the Eid was not better, given the back-to-school season and the departure of Lebanese expatriates, as well as the start of the traditional mooneh season which also requires considerable spending. Likewise, in the Nabatiyeh area, merchants, grieved the losses inflicted on them by street vendors who occupy the sidewalks benefiting from their exemption of rents or taxes. This situation prompted the Nabatiyeh municipality, in collaboration with the Nabatiyeh Traders Association, to ban street vendors and kiosks from the main commercial district on the Adha Eve. On the other hand, and in Central Beqaa, east of Lebanon, commercial and hospitality activities varied from one region to another, according to As Safir, which noted a relative buzz in the popular markets that attracted a great number of Lebanese citizens and Syrian nationals. Moreover, restaurants, cafes and hotels in Zahleh, Shtawra and Anjar witnessed an upsurge in customers. (As Safir, September 24 and 28, 2015