Tourist numbers in Lebanon have plunged by 27 per cent over security concerns and travel restrictions from neighbouring Arab states. The dip comes during the state's peak season, but tourism figures were already down in 2012. Visitor numbers totalled 1.5 million last year - 2010 saw a peak of 2 million, before the uprising in neighbouring Syria. To date, more than 100,000 people have been killed in the conflict. "The first six months were down by about 6.5 per cent compared to 2012. July was down by even more, by 27 per cent. Really, the situation is difficult. It is not catastrophic," said Fadi Abboud, Lebanon's caretaker Minister for Tourism.
Just a few years ago, tourism accounted for almost 20 per cent of Lebanon's GDP, but some hotels are reporting less than 10 per cent occupancy, even in summer months. Hotels and resorts have been heavily dependent on Gulf Arab visitors, but several states have placed travel bans on Lebanon following a series of kidnappings in 2012. Further abroad, the UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), more commonly known as the Foreign Office, are currently advising against all travel to parts of the country bordering Syria, as well as the coastal city of Tripoli. Beirut and Sidon are recommended to be avoided other than for 'essential travel'. Even prior to the US State Department's highly-publicised move to close their Middle East embassies, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has been urging citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon because of current safety and security concerns. The last update was made on April 1, 2013. Iraqis, Jordanians and Egyptians have stepped in to take the lion's share of the market, according to Abboud, with wealthy Syrians accounting for 20 per cent of all business.
