Bangkok--12 Sep--eTurbonews
On the day Lebanese Minister of Tourism Joseph Sarkis called for equality between all Lebanese with regards to compensation for losses of their homes and speeding up rebuilding of the south and the Beirut suburb of Dhahia, Egypt tourism vowed to support Lebanon's return to normalcy.
From September 5 to 7, Lebanese key tourism organizations and companies were invited to participate free of charge at the Mediterranean Travel Fair in Cairo. Organizers and Reed Travel Exhibitions gave Lebanon 60 square meter exhibition space as a gesture of goodwill to the war-ravaged destination. This, in an act of gratitude to Lebanon for consistently participating in the trade fair since it started in 2000.
Rida International, one of Lebanon's top travel agencies was grateful for the opportunity despite the country not fully ready to absorb normal inbound traffic. Rida's Sales and marketing manager for the Gulf and Arab markets Tony Harfouche said they express gratitude to the Egyptian Tourism Authority for the support although at the time of press, Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport was still close. On September 7, the airstrip opened and Lebanon's flag carrier Middle East Airline landed for the first time after the Israeli-Hezbollah war erupted.
Lebanon suffers almost $3.6 billion in damages to tourism infrastructure and superstructure from North to South of the country -- the most costly of which is the massive destruction at the airport. Lebanese Association for Tourism President Talal El Hassanieh said they need help badly. "As tourist association, our membership fees are minimal compared to the losses we have already sustained.
Lebanon would like to remain strong and resilient. Our country indeed has great resources and heritage, but what we face today is a real big challenge," he said calling on Egyptian Tourism Minister Zoheir Garannah for extensive back-up. Garannah promised his share and alluded to United Nations World Tourism Organization's Tourcom tourism event which Cairo will have hosted end of October had it not been given back to Beirut.
Not only did the Lebanese business suffers. Egyptian national carrier EgyptAir reportedly lost $20 million due to the suspension of flights to Beirut since the start of the Israeli war. "There used to be 11 flights a week between Cairo and Beirut," said Safwat Mossalam, chairman of EgyptAir's Commercial Department.
However, when the Beirut airport reopened last week, EgyptAir cashed in on the big rush. On September 8, it resumed its operations. "The decision to resume flights was made after ensuring stability at the Beirut Airport and safety of planes in take-off and landing had been double-checked," said Mosalam adding his team flew to Beirut September 6 to arrange with Lebanese aviation officials the number of flights, schedules and other logistics.
Meanwhile after Minister Sarkis asked to review fund disbursement, $33,000 was promised by Lebanese PM Fouad Sinoura to those who lost properties during the last war, plus $7000 for furniture replacement.Those who lost their properties in the mountains were paid $20,000 as recent as 2 months ago.
Sarkis, however, took issue with the replacement costs to mountain residents-- that it was not enough.
In a recent communication with eTubo News, Minister Sarkis indicated staging a giant tourism event in December to bump up grants loans and funding for recovery. He also said they are allocating a huge budget for the media to generate extensive promotion they are in dire need of.