The Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, inaugurated yesterday the tasting festival of Lebanese foods which will take place between 9 and 15 November 2015. Pharaon spoke during a press conference organized for that occasion with the participation of the General Director of Hospitality Services and the organizer of the event, Joumana Damous Salameh, and the member of the board of the syndicate of restaurants, cafes and patisseries, Maya Bekhazi. The event was attendant by many interested in that sector. Salameh noted that the purpose of the event is to reignite tourism and the economy through familiarizing with Lebanese cuisisine and restaurants. She added that the event will allow participating restaurants to engage with consumers. Minister Pharaon added that the restaurant sector is very dynamic and he reiterated that tourism was unfettered despite current crisis. (Al Safir, 6 November 2015)