Lebanon’s renewed attractiveness to visitors has prompted members of the country’s tourism sector to set up a taskforce aimed at increasing awareness of the destination and bringing in even greater numbers of tourists.
The Lebanon Tourism Promotion Committee (LTPC) is a non-profit voluntary committee initiated by senior representatives from the private sector, Lebanon’s national carrier Middle East Airlines and the Casino du Liban.
Any tourism professional can join in its efforts in this initiative, as long as their focus is inbound tourism.
Spokeswoman Maha Bourachi, of Mövenpick Hotel Beirut, said: “Members were already active in promoting individually the destination and their business entities before the idea came about to join efforts together and in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism to put Lebanon back as a key destination on the international tourism map. We are working hand in hand and will extend all the support needed by the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism.”
The committee’s main goals are: grouping together the fragmented players in the tourism industry; strengthening existing destination marketing with a coherent brand and message; improving Lebanon’s perceived image in the different existing and potential markets; prioritising the potential markets for Lebanon; organising events throughout the year to attract more visitors all year round; developing quality-control systems to evaluate the services offered to visitors; co-ordinating the development of the tourism promotion plan and answering the many concerns on the development of the tourism industry and promotion of Lebanon abroad.
The group plans to develop new marketing opportunities for Lebanon, in order to enhance the visibility of the destination in international markets as a key tourism destination, this includes participation in key exhibitions and pre-event preparation, representation and promotion through tourism offices and ensuring quality-control for travellers.
And the committee has already attracted many of Lebanon’s major tourism players to its membership including Concord Travel & Tourism, Kurban Travel, Nakhal & Cie, Saad Tours – DMC, Vent Nouveau, Wild Discovery Travel & Tourism, Middle East Airlines, Casino du Liban, Eddé Sands, Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, Habtoor Hotels, InterContinental Phoenicia, Le Bristol Beirut Hotel, Le Gray Hotel, Le Royal Hotels, Moevenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut, Rotana Hotels Lebanon and Terre Brune Hotel.