Recent data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism and the Lebanese General Security has shed light on the significant contribution of Lebanese expatriates to the tourism sector in Lebanon. According to the figures for 2022, Lebanese expatriates accounted for 63 percent of the total visitor arrivals, while in the first quarter of 2023, their share increased to 68 percent.
In 2022, the total number of incoming visitors to Lebanon reached 3,919,463, consisting of 2,453,510 Lebanese expatriates, while 1,465,953 were Arab and foreign visitors, according to Byblos Bank's weekly report, Lebanon This Week.
In 2021, there were 2,063,828 incoming visitors, with Lebanese expatriates accounting for 1,173,875 and Arab and foreign visitors totaling 889,953. This represents a significant increase in the number of Lebanese expatriate visitors.
The figures reveal that Lebanese expatriates comprised 62.6 percent of the total number of incoming visitors in 2022, while Arab and foreign visitors constituted the remaining 37.4 percent. In 2021, Lebanese expatriates accounted for 57 percent of visitors, with Arab and foreign tourists making up 43 percent.
Breaking down the data further, it is evident that Lebanese expatriate visitors showed consistent growth throughout the quarters of 2022. There were 416,787 incoming Lebanese expatriates in the first quarter, 562,470 in the second quarter, 777,589 in the third quarter, and 696,664 in the fourth quarter.
Regarding non-Lebanese visitors, including Arab visitors, there were 212,950 in the first quarter, 357,788 in the second quarter, 550,189 in the third quarter, and 345,026 in the fourth quarter of last year.
Moving into 2023, the data shows that the trend continued in the first quarter. The total number of incoming visitors reached 853,004, with Lebanese expatriates accounting for 578,217 (67.8 percent) and Arab and foreign visitors totaling 274,787 (32.2 percent).
The first quarter saw 213,053 Lebanese expatriates arriving in January, 163,169 in February, and 201,992 in March. Comparatively, in the same period of 2022, there were 126,381 Lebanese expatriates in January, 126,777 in February, and 163,629 in March.
During the first quarter of 2023, Lebanese expatriates represented 70.7 percent of the total incoming visitors in January, 65.6 percent in February, and 66.7 percent in March. In comparison, the corresponding months of 2022 saw Lebanese expatriates accounting for 67 percent in January, 65.2 percent in February, and 66.4 percent in March.
The figures included in the weekly report also revealed that non-Lebanese visitors, including Arab visitors, reached 88,378 in January, 85,682 in February, and 100,727 in March 2023.
It is important to note that the data does not include arrivals from Syria and Palestine.
The significant presence of Lebanese expatriates among the visitor arrivals highlights their strong connection to their homeland and their continued support for the Lebanese tourism industry.