PM Boosts Rural Tourism Strategy, Says Nation Won't Heal without its Head
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed on Wednesday that Lebanon is passing through a political crisis, pointing out that the nation will not heal without its head.
“We are still amid a political crisis and the nation will not completely heal without its head,” Salam said during a conference on the Rural Tourism Strategy for Lebanon at the Grand Serail.
“We will not have tourism without security and stability,” the PM said, pointing out that a security plan has been established 10 months ago and is still being implemented across the country.
He considered that the rural areas represent Lebanon's history.
Minister of Tourism Michel Pharaon remarked that the sector's growth reached 25 percent, with the rural tourism alone growing from five to ten percent.
“We had to compensate for the paralysis crawling in our institutions and develop projects that could be followed up by active committees,” Pharaon said, expressing hope that the successor government and new president would continue the exerted efforts.
The minister expressed full support to the army “which is defending our values.”
For his part, Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq remarked that his ministry and the ministry of tourism complement each other.
“The information ministry and all its units are fully ready to market rural tourism,” Information Minister Ramzi Greij stressed.
The Rural Tourism Strategy for Lebanon, which was drafted by a non-profit organization Beyond Beirut, aims at improving rural tourism in various areas and creating new ones that will boost the state's treasury and employment opportunities.
The plan targets both locals and foreigners.
H.K.
G.K.
11 February 2015, 12:33
44
(1). This is an excellent move that cannot be commended enough. Lebanon is culturally rich and vibrant, and this culture is definitely not done justice in our cities and towns but more so in our villages, as numerous and varied as they are. Let's also add the word CULTURAL and Spiritual to the Rural Tourism, truly Lebanon has so very much to offer. For example the government could instigate this: Nowadays there are so many of our villages that have emptied of their youths who've preferred urban life, so tourism can rent a room or two in the houses of such families. Tourists could come and live with these families for a few days and live the real life that our villages live in ways that should be totally unaltered. The tourist will be given the chance to live, eat, sleep and buy artifacts and home made stuff from those villages they chose to stay.
11 February 2015, 12:36
44
(2). Some monasteries and other houses of religions too can offer spiritual tourism, of course in total adherence to the principles of these houses of religion. There are so many in the world who are looking for spiritual healing and orientation, that too is an area we can help and help our economy and rural areas. Lebanon is not only about night life and shopping, Lebanon is a lot more than that. Only the thought of seeing tourists walk around our villages is enough to make my heart beat. Cultural ought to be properly regulated whereby tourists will be made to understand that in order to enjoy real rural and spiritual life in Lebanon as should be the case, then there are guidelines and principles to be followed and adhered to. If we do our homework well, I see us creating a success story like never before as the benefits will translate directly to the people.
11 February 2015, 14:04
25
It seems harassing posters is your primary role on this site. Live and let live... there is space for everybody.
11 February 2015, 14:04
72
Country is under threat for survival & some are worried about tourism.
How messed up can they be?
2 million refugee's & they are trying to solve the tourism problem.
lol@ Lebanon
11 February 2015, 14:05
73
never harassed anyone...its you doing that.
iceman & I go way back...you mind your own business & stick to the article...stop worrying what others do.
now buzz
11 February 2015, 14:16
63
Norma... I happen to have visited many of these you call 'Houthian' villages in Lebanon and found the people to be welcoming and generous. While it is fine and indeed necessary to refute negative political discourse emanating from some political actors in Lebanon, it is not acceptable to engage in dehumanization or stereotyping.
11 February 2015, 14:16
53
Norma... I happen to have visited many of these you call 'Houthian' villages in Lebanon and found the people to be welcoming and generous. While it is fine and indeed necessary to refute negative political discourse emanating from some political actors in Lebanon, it is not acceptable to engage in dehumanization or stereotyping.
11 February 2015, 14:23
63
A-democrat, only an uneducated fool or a paid shill, would even entertain such thoughts, as most know there is good & bad of every sect, every nation, every colour etc.
This site has become inhumane in the cruelest manner & allowed to thrive under these conditions.
SHIA this, Sunni that...Iran this, KSA that.
only takes for a decent Mod to weed out such filth & you will no longer see degrading posts that target a sect or people.
But hey as long as the Mods allow it..just play the game man.
Iceman wants to pretend his a woman & repeat Houthi a 1000 times a day...just respond accordingly.
11 February 2015, 14:49
62
lol FT, you & I are always zoomed in...they honor us with replica names.
watch all the guest names that will come in our honor whenever we post.
Could you imagine anyone caring enough to copy their user name?
We must be destroying them time after time in debate..hence the following
