In the numbers: Lebanon’s winter tourism rebounds as ski season lifts hotel occupancy

Report by Marie Ange Nawchi, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian 

The long-awaited ski season has begun, with tourists — both foreign and Lebanese, expatriates and residents — gearing up as holidays start in Lebanon and neighboring countries, driving hotel occupancy higher and filling most rooms in Beirut and the mountain regions, a trend that underscores the country’s return as a regional destination for winter tourism.

According to the Lebanese Hotel Association, hotel bookings for February reached 55% in Beirut and rose to 70% in the higher Keserwan region, including Kfardebian and surrounding areas. These figures were confirmed by LBCI after contacting hotels in Beirut and Kfardebian.

In a sample of four well-known hotels in Beirut, occupancy for the current month reached 65%. In Kfardebian, LBCI statistics based on 12 of the area’s 19 hotels showed an overall occupancy rate of 75%.

A breakdown by nationality shows that foreign and Arab tourists accounted for the highest share of hotel occupancy in Beirut, while Lebanese guests dominated hotel stays in Kfardebian.

Arrival figures through Beirut airport also point to a sharp increase compared with the same period last year, with arrivals rising by as much as 300% for some nationalities. The most notable increases were recorded among Qatari and Kuwaiti travelers.

Between Jan. 19 and Feb. 4, arrivals included 3,106 Kuwaitis, up from 764 during the same period last year; 779 Qataris, compared with 227; 7,832 Iraqis, compared with 7,005; and 5,987 Egyptians, compared with 1,537.

LBCI statistics show that these four nationalities topped hotel bookings in Beirut during the period. In contrast, Lebanese nationals accounted for the largest share of hotel bookings in Kfardebian.

Lebanese and foreign tourists alike have filled hotel rooms in both urban and rural areas this winter, while Lebanon’s tourism season continues beyond the colder months.