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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

 

The Lebanese pavillion, celebrated on September 24, during Milano Expo, the Lebanese wine day. On that occasion, the President of the Union Vinicole Du Liban, Chateau Ksara, CEO, Zafer Shawi indicated that the wine industry in Lebanon has witnessed a remarkable growth in the past 20 years. “The number of wine produces has increased from 8 since the end of the Civil War to 40 at present,” Shawi said, pointing that local wine has become an ambassador for Lebanon in over 30 foreign countries. “In the past five years, the Lebanese wine succeeded in making headways in Britain, France and the US,” Shawi noted. (Al Diyar September,27, 2015)

 

The Minister of Economy and Trade, Alan Hakim, signed on September 19, the Declaration of the Mediterranean Diet to uphold and sustain the diet classified as one of the world cultural heritages listed by UNESCO. The signing was made during the Mediterranean Diet Summit held at Milano Expo 2015. Hakim noted that the theme of the fair, “The Planet Nutrition ... Energy for Life» coupled with various activities organized by the Lebanese pavilion, has clearly demonstrated that the Lebanese cuisine and culinary traditions fall within the Mediterranean diet’s healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Hakim called on consumers to realize that a balanced and wholesome diet routine could prevent several potential diseases, while urging food manufacturers to mark their commercial foodstuffs with the trademark ‘Med Diet’. (Al Mustaqbal, As Safir, An Nahar, September 24, 27, 2015)

The Municipality of Aley, in cooperation with the Progressive Party Graduates Association represented by Dr. Rabii Munzer, organized for three days, on September 18, 19 and 20, the “Suk El Akel” street food festival in the main street of the Mount Lebanon town. The event saw the participation of Agriculture and Tourism Ministers Akram Shehayeb and Michel Pharaon, Aley Mayor Wajdi Mrad, Chief of Aley Merchants Association Samir Chehayeb and Suk El Akel Manager in Lebanon, Dr. Anthony Ra7heel, in addition to a crowd of people and concerned figures. Ra7heel explained that the initial idea was to revive the capital Beirut and then extend to Brummana in the Metn before moving to Aley. “We wanted to communicate to Aley population the message under the slogan “food brings us together” that we are here for them and have brought our tasty foodstuffs from across Lebanon, along with amusement parks for kids and children,” Ra7heel added.” For his part, Munzer noted, that what distinguishes the Suk is that it engages restaurants that are not big but are famous for their delicacies in a family and child-friendly atmosphere, while indicating that the total number of visitors is expected to exceed 20 thousand visitors. (Al Mustaqbal, September 23, 2015)