Prime Minister Hassan Diab chaired on Tuesday a meeting dedicated to the tourism sector, in the presence of the Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism Ramzi Musharrafieh, Lebanon’s Central Bank governor Riad Salameh, chairman of the board of directors of Middle East Airlines Mohamad El-Hout, president of the Economic and Social Council Charles Arbid, PM’s Advisor George Chalhoub and heads of Tourism Trade Unions.
During the meeting, PM Diab said that “the entire world is going through a difficult stage, not just Lebanon, due to the Coronavirus pandemic that has smashed the global economy and the tourism activity.”
“Nevertheless, major countries affected by coronavirus have started preparing for the tourist season with the aim of reviving the economy, and we must prepare for that,” he added.
PM Diab also noted that a meeting was held on Monday “to discuss the possibility of reopening the airport, in terms of timing, countries, timeline and the percentage of expatriates having done the PCR test.”
“We will be opening air lines to the Arab Gulf region, focusing on countries that conduct PCR tests and considering special procedures for other countries,” he stressed.
Diab also highlighted the importance of “putting Lebanon back on the tourism map, while striking a balance between health protection and tourism in order to revive the economy.”
“The Minister of Tourism has developed a strategic plan; it is important to approve it pending a decision to be taken by the end of this week regarding relevant measures for the reopening of the airport,” Diab concluded by saying.
For his part, Minister of Tourism Ramzi Musharrafieh stressed “on the very weak state of the tourism sector,” adding that the “main problem lies in the previous difficult years, coupled with the coronavirus pandemic and general mobilization that forced the closure of several institutions.”
“I have made several proposals to help this sector, as tax exemptions and deferred payment of fees are not enough to boost this sector again”, he added.
Then, the chairman of the Lebanese Federation for Tourism and president of the Hotel Owners Association Pierre Achkar has summed up the difficult situation of all tourism-related sectors and asked Lebanon’s Central Bank governor to interfere with banks to save the sector. He stressed the necessity of finding a well-thought-out plan for the future and on the contribution of all sectors, especially the "Middle East Airlines", by offering price reductions on air-fares.
In this context, Lebanon’s Central Bank governor Riad Salameh stated that they were examining how to take advantage of BdL in terms of interests and benefits for the tourism sector, especially hotels, adding that the Central Bank of Lebanon has extended all payment terms for an additional 6 months and is currently working on subsidized loans away from any speculation.
On his part, the president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-Clubs and Pastries Tony Ramy has decried the faltering tourism sector, with 80% of restaurants being unable to reopen, including major restaurants and institutions, in addition to the closure of shopping malls’ restaurants having to pay 100% rental fees for big commercial centers. Ramy has also requested the approval of the tourism plan which was discussed with the Ministry of Tourism.
In turn, the head of the tourism syndicates in the South and Southern Suburb Ali Tabaja indicated that 95% of the institutions in the south were unable to reopen, due to their inability to pay rentals or even purchase goods. He added that the problem is mainly due to the exchange rate of 4000 LBP to USD and to the banning of hookah in restaurants and cafes, which has led to a drop in cafes and restaurants traffic.
For his part, the chairman of the board of directors of Middle East Airlines Mohamad El-Hout has encouraged good deals in cooperation with the hotel sector, while encouraging domestic tourism, given the current circumstances.
For his part, the head of the Association of Car Rental Agencies Mohammad Dakdouk revealed that 25 % of car rental agencies have shut down, stating that this sector mainly relies on expatriates and foreign tourists. Dakdouk has broached the challenging situation of car rental companies, including the adverse effect of alternate traffic circulation, thefts, non-coverage of accidents by insurance companies and tight withdrawal limits by banks, calling for exemption from mechanical fees, registration and traffic violations.
Afterwards, the president of the Economic and Social Council Charles Arbid presented the difficulties faced by every Lebanese who works in struggling institutions. He called for the regulation of State-institutions relationships, State-brokered settlement of banks-institutions relationships, and the need to submit proposals aimed at securing the Lebanese workforce.
On his part, the head of the Syndicate of Touristic Seaside Resorts in Lebanon Jean Beiruti pointed out to the impracticality of domestic tourism due to the high dollar exchange rate and the persistent closure of the majority of seaside resorts as a result of the non-completion of maintenance licenses.
As for the head of the Association of Travel and Tourist Agents in Lebanon Jean Abboud, he pointed out that the inability of making wire transfers would lead to the withdrawal of companies from Lebanon, and called for bank facilities.
Finally, the head of the Syndicate of Restaurants in the Southern suburb and Mount Lebanon Ibrahim Al-Zaidi stated that the main problem was the dollar exchange rate adversely affecting the restaurant industry and employees whose salaries were depreciated.