Tourism, Hospitality and the way forward in Lebanon
Lebanon’s hospitality industry has endured some of the toughest years in its history. COVID emptied hotels and restaurants almost overnight. The economic collapse made it difficult for businesses to operate amid power cuts, fuel shortages, and soaring costs. More recently, regional tensions have slowed travel and pushed many southern and rural destinations into survival mode.
Yet the latest tourism data shows something important. The treemap reveals that most hotels remain concentrated in districts like Matn, Keserwan, and Byblos. At the same time, the tourism index shows that some of the most appealing destinations for visitors are elsewhere. Tripoli, Western Beqaa, Hasbaya, and Nabatieh all rank high in tourism experience despite having far fewer hotels.
This gap between where tourists want to go and where hospitality infrastructure actually exists is one of Lebanon’s biggest lost opportunities. It reflects years of underinvestment made worse by crisis after crisis.
But it also points to a clear path forward. Investing in roads, stable electricity, clean water, internet connectivity, and the preservation of cultural and natural sites would immediately boost the capacity of high-potential regions. Strengthening infrastructure beyond Beirut and Mount Lebanon would unlock new jobs, revive local economies, and distribute tourism revenue more evenly across the country.
Lebanon does not need to rebuild its appeal. It needs to rebuild the foundation that allows hospitality to grow. With the right infrastructure, the regions that tourists already love can finally receive the investment they deserve.
