{"id":180109,"date":"2025-06-13T03:56:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T03:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/180109\/"},"modified":"2025-06-13T03:56:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T03:56:17","slug":"lebanon-aims-to-win-back-gulf-tourists-and-investors-but-is-it-enough-to-save-the-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/180109\/","title":{"rendered":"Lebanon aims to win back Gulf tourists and investors, but is it enough to save the economy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With its sun-soaked beaches, pine-covered mountains and buzzing summer nightlife, Lebanon is hoping to once again become the playground of wealthy Gulf tourists<\/a>. After years of strained relations, Beirut is making concerted efforts to reset its ties with the Gulf<\/a> \u2013 a region long seen as both a political ally and economic lifeline.<\/p>\n

Since taking office in January, President Joseph Aoun<\/a> has placed rebuilding Lebanon\u2019s relationship with the Gulf countries at the centre of his foreign policy agenda. The former army chief, elected after more than two years of presidential vacuum, wasted no time in launching a diplomatic charm offensive. Mr Aoun has so far visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia<\/a>, Qatar<\/a> and Kuwait, in an effort to re-establish Lebanon as an open destination for tourists and investors.<\/p>\n

Gulf states<\/a> have historically played a major role in rebuilding Lebanon, including after the 1975\u20131990 civil war and the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Gulf tourists and investors \u2212 particularly from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE \u2212 significantly boosted Lebanon\u2019s economy for decades by driving its tourism, real estate and hospitality sectors, especially in Beirut and mountain resort areas.<\/p>\n

However, in recent years, Lebanon\u2019s relations with its Gulf neighbours began to sour due to Iran<\/a>\u2019s growing influence over Lebanese affairs. This was primarily through its backing of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah<\/a>, which held significant sway over the country\u2019s political and military landscape.<\/p>\n

This dynamic has shifted following a year-long war between Hezbollah and Israel that ended last November. Israel\u2019s military campaign destroyed much of Hezbollah\u2019s infrastructure, eliminated the group\u2019s leader and top commanders and infiltrated its security network.<\/p>\n

Now, Lebanon seeks to revive its economy<\/a>, which has been mired in crisis since 2019. The national currency has collapsed, the banking sector is in disarray and basic public services have all but crumbled. The war between Israel and Hezbollah only worsened conditions, leaving much of southern Lebanon and Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs in ruins. The World Bank estimated recovery and reconstruction needs at $11 billion.<\/p>\n

Lifting travel bans<\/b><\/p>\n

The UAE<\/a> and Kuwait have lifted years-long travel bans on Lebanon after President Aoun\u2019s recent visits<\/a>, opening the door for their citizens to return to the country. <\/p>\n

\u201cLebanon is moving in the right direction, getting back to the Arab fold \u2013 and that\u2019s a Lebanese demand before anything else,\u201d Fouad Dandan, Lebanon\u2019s ambassador to the UAE, told The National.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmiratis<\/a> love Lebanon. They don\u2019t go there just for tourism<\/a>. Many have properties in the country, and some may even invest in it \u2013 which would create a boost that is not only seasonal and would help the economy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Lebanon is also seeking to benefit from the UAE\u2019s expertise in key sectors, including security and renewable energy, added Mr Dandan. Emirati technical teams have already visited Beirut to explore co-operation and knowledge transfer. \u201cWe have a golden opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia<\/a> to see whether it will follow suit. But Riyadh remains cautious, and a key sticking point is security, according to sources. <\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from travelling to Lebanon since 2021 because of security concerns. The kingdom was Lebanon\u2019s top destination for agricultural exports in 2019, accounting for 22.1 per cent of total shipments, according to a Lebanese government report published in 2020. However, Riyadh suspended imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables in April 2021, citing drug-smuggling<\/a> concerns and accusing Beirut of failing to take action.<\/p>\n

Lebanon\u2019s security forces say they are stepping up efforts to protect key sites, especially Beirut\u2019s international airport<\/a> and tourist hotspots.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparations are under way to welcome tourists, though the state is working with a limited budget. Efforts have been made to improve visitors’ experience: the road from the airport to Beirut has been repaired, and political banners and posters were removed months ago,\u201d a senior security official involved in the operations told The National. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s new is the increased police presence near airport routes, especially at night. Police staffing has recently expanded to accommodate these new duties, and additional checkpoints are now active, with clear instructions to search suspicious vehicles and fine violators,\u201d the source added. <\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, the security situation is stable. The main concern remains the potential for Israel to disrupt the atmosphere, but internally, the focus is firmly on ensuring safety for both residents and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite a ceasefire agreed in November between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli military continues to carry out strikes in Lebanon. Last week, just before Eid Al Adha, at least 10 strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs<\/a> \u2013 a sprawling area known as Dahiyeh. It was the fourth time that Dahiyeh has been bombed since the November truce<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Israel also continues to bomb southern Lebanon almost daily and maintains control over five military posts<\/a> along the southern border.<\/p>\n

The ceasefire says Hezbollah must pull all military equipment and fighters out of southern Lebanon and says all non-state militant groups must be disarmed across the country. Lebanon remains under international pressure to reassert full state sovereignty. President Aoun has repeatedly said the decision to centralise arms under state authority has been taken, but says this can only be achieved through dialogue rather than force.<\/p>\n

Promising summer amid challenges<\/b><\/p>\n

Many in Lebanon are hopeful for a booming summer season.<\/p>\n

\u201cEid Al Adha holiday gives a glimpse of how this summer will look,\u201d Jean Abboud, president of the Association of Travel and Tourist Agents in Lebanon, told The National. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing new nationalities this year: Emiratis, Kuwaitis and Qataris. Gulf tourists tend to spend more time and money in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn May, airport traffic rose 11 per cent compared to the same period last year. The momentum is encouraging,\u201d said Mr Abboud.<\/p>\n

But analysts caution that this is not enough to lift the country out of its deep economic <\/a>crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cTourism accounts for 20 per cent of GDP, and Gulf tourists generate 50 per cent of tourism revenue. While the rebound in Gulf tourism and renewed investment are essential catalysts, they alone cannot secure Lebanon\u2019s full recovery,\u201d said Lebanese economist Walid Abousleiman.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe scale of Lebanon\u2019s financial crisis and the depth of required reforms mean that international assistance potentially including an IMF programme remains necessary to restore fiscal and monetary stability, restructure debt and rebuild confidence in the banking sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since the 2019 crisis, which saw the Lebanese currency lose over 90 per cent of its value and bank deposits decimated, with losses estimated at more than $70 billion, Lebanon<\/a> has failed to implement most of the IMF\u2019s demanded reforms.<\/p>\n

Economy Minister Amer Bisat<\/a> told The National last month that the country faces deep-rooted challenges across multiple sectors \u2212 including banking, electricity, production costs, infrastructure and governance. \u201cI don\u2019t think that small and quick steps will bring back the confidence of investors. What will bring it back is when investors see we are addressing these core issues,\u201d said the minister. <\/p>\n

Mr Abousleiman noted that “Gulf tourists bring vital foreign currency and support key sectors but cannot alone restore Lebanon\u2019s economy to pre-crisis levels”.<\/p>\n

\u201cLebanon\u2019s path to recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Gulf tourism and investment are promising first steps, but real, lasting change requires comprehensive reforms and international support,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Mohamad Ali Harisi and Jamie Prentis contributed to this report from Abu Dhabi and Beirut, respectively <\/p>\n

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)<\/p>\n

What is THAAD?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is considered to be the US’ most superior missile defence system.<\/p>\n

Production:<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was first created in 2008.<\/p>\n

Speed:<\/strong><\/p>\n

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.<\/p>\n

Abilities:<\/strong><\/p>\n

THAAD\u00a0is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles,\u00a0as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the “terminal phase”.<\/p>\n

Purpose:<\/strong><\/p>\n

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.<\/p>\n

Range:<\/strong><\/p>\n

THAAD\u00a0can target projectiles both inside\u00a0and outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth’s surface.<\/p>\n

Creators:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lockheed Martin\u00a0was originally granted the contract to develop the\u00a0system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the\u00a0system, such as ground-based radar.<\/p>\n

UAE and THAAD:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.<\/p>\n

AUSTRALIA%20SQUAD<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3EPat%20Cummins%20(capt)%2C%20Scott%20Boland%2C%20Alex%20Carey%2C%20Cameron%20Green%2C%20Marcus%20Harris%2C%20Josh%20Hazlewood%2C%20Travis%20Head%2C%20Josh%20Inglis%2C%20Usman%20Khawaja%2C%20Marnus%20Labuschagne%2C%20Nathan%20Lyon%2C%20Mitchell%20Marsh%2C%20Todd%20Murphy%2C%20Matthew%20Renshaw%2C%20Steve%20Smith%2C%20Mitchell%20Starc%2C%20David%20Warner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

LUKA CHUPPI<\/p>\n

Director:<\/strong>\u00a0Laxman Utekar<\/p>\n

Producer:<\/strong>\u00a0Maddock Films, Jio Cinema<\/p>\n

Cast:<\/strong>\u00a0Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong>\u00a03\/5<\/p>\n

Labour dispute<\/p>\n

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.<\/p>\n

– Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law\u00a0<\/p>\n

more from Janine di GiovanniCOMPANY%20PROFILE<\/p>\n

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The%20specs<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

LILO & STITCH<\/p>\n

Starring:<\/strong> Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders<\/p>\n

Director: <\/strong>Dean Fleischer Camp<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> 4.5\/5<\/p>\n

TICKETS<\/p>\n

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit\u00a0www.mubadalawtc.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Results<\/p>\n

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The specs<\/p>\n

AT4 Ultimate, as tested<\/p>\n

Engine: 6.2-litre V8<\/p>\n

Power: 420hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 623Nm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 10-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Six large-scale objects on show <\/p>\n