The economic and financial crisis is getting worse day after another and impacting the country severely,  and its repercussions is depriving touristic institutions from the promising season that was expected. According to analysts, tourists are canceling their reservations amid fears of more deterioration.

In this context, Pierre Achkar, Head of the Federation for Tourism Industries told Al Markaziya that “most of the visitors to Lebanon are expatriates and are not foreign tourists, and the majority have deep connection to the country, either through their families or their businesses.”

He added that those who are cancelling their bookings don’t have any connections with the country. “The owners of the touristic institutions are struggling from the crisis, especially that the activity has dropped lately due to gasoline shortage, however Lebanese adapt quickly to any crisis.”

Achkar said that any negative development affects the sector and its activity. “It is true that we have witnessed between 20 and 30 percent drop, but this does not mean that the sector was totally destroyed, because Lebanese know how to enjoy their life.”

Achqar explained that “some regions and institutions will benefit during the summer season, and this will help it survive in providing its services, but bookings are restricted to the weekends rather than the weekdays, and this is  another hurdle.