(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese hotel owners warned of imminent bankruptcy on Thursday, blaming the dramatic drop in tourism, political instability, and security for the decline in hotel revenue.
The Syndicate of Hotel Owners said that the “hotels are in danger” of closing down as a result. They are calling on the Lebanese government to lift entry taxes to facilitate the flow of tourists through the Rafik Hariri International Airport.
The statement said the Syndicate was in the process of preparing a petition to be handed to the government and the Parliament, listing demands to help them overcome the crisis.
The Tourism sector in Lebanon has been an important contributor to the local economy, representing a major source of income and employment.
But travel bans by Arab Gulf countries prompted by political and regional instability have served a painful blow to the sector in recent years.