Preparations on going for the summer rural tourism season in Lebanon

The Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, held yesterday a meeting to discuss ways to promote rural tourism and prepare for the projected summer festivals and events. The meeting was held in the presence of the respective directors general of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries, Louis Lahhud and Nada Sarduk, President of the Syndicate of Owners of Tourism and Travel Agencies, Jean Abood, representative for the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Bulos Aris, as well as representatives for the ministries of Culture, the Interior and Environment, beside Civil Society organisations. Discussions centered on the national strategy for rural tourism and achievements realized so far and on ways to expand its implementation in various areas in the country. The main points agreed were the following: developing agricultural products and guesthouses, completion of touristic maps and calendars of events for the regions, producing  marketing programs and brochures, as well as identifying needs and accordingly writing proposals to be submitted to relevant donor organizations. Pharaon noted a fad by the Lebanese to discover their towns and villages and by tourists who like to devote a day in remote rural areas. He pointed out to some 50 or more touristic endeavors, each of costing some USD25 thousand that may be financed by ministries concerned. The meeting closed with the launching of the new website devoted to the promotion of guesthouses. Participants also agreed to hold another meeting between rural tourism establishments and the Syndicate for Owners of Travel Agencies in order to further discuss the marketing of the strategy. (Al Mustaqbal, As Safir, Al Diyar, January 13, 2016)