by rmg18 | Nov 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
Lebanon’s landscape is full of cultural, historical, and natural assets, yet tourism development across the country remains uneven. Using the UNDP Tourism Readiness dataset (1,136 towns across 25 districts), this analysis uncovers where Lebanon’s hidden tourism opportunities are and which regions lack the infrastructure to support them.
Tourism Potential Exists, But Not All Towns Are Developed
To understand tourism readiness, every town can be classified into one of four groups:
- Developed Potential: Towns with both potential and infrastructure
- Untapped Potential: Towns with potential but no infrastructure
- Infrastructure Only: Towns with infrastructure but no identified potential
- Low Potential: Towns with neither
Right away, a key insight emerges:
A considerable number of Lebanese towns have meaningful tourism potential but lack the infrastructure required to activate it.
This simple breakdown highlights that tourism potential is widespread across the country, but not always supported by visitor services such as guest houses, cafés, or restaurants.
Some areas have much larger gaps than others
When looking at infrastructure gaps by area, the differences become clearer. Some districts have potential but very little tourism infrastructure to go with it.
In particular,
show some of the highest gap rates. These places have attractions and natural assets, but not enough facilities to support tourism activity. Meanwhile, districts like Mount Lebanon and Byblos are more developed and have infrastructure that aligns better with their tourism activity.
This chart makes it easier to see which areas are lagging behind and where new investment could make a real difference.
What this means for tourism planning
- Putting the insights together, a simple pattern appears:
- Many towns across Lebanon do have tourism potential
- But a noticeable share of them don’t have the infrastructure to support visitors
- The largest gaps show up in specific districts, not everywhere
- Improving basic services in these places could unlock new opportunities
Instead of focusing only on areas that are already popular, these findings suggest that Lebanon has several underdeveloped regions that could become strong tourism spots if they receive proper attention.
Conclusion
Lebanon already has the natural and cultural foundations for tourism. The challenge isn’t a lack of potential, it’s the uneven distribution of infrastructure.
By identifying where the gaps are, the data gives a clear starting point for planners, municipalities, and anyone interested in local development. Investing in infrastructure in high-potential but underserved towns could help bring more balance to Lebanon’s tourism map and open opportunities in regions that are currently overlooked.
by egh13 | Nov 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
Introduction
Tourism in Lebanon is often celebrated for its beautiful landscapes, cultural heritage, and vibrant towns. But behind these well known attractions lie a more practical question: which towns are actually equipped to support tourism on a daily basis? To explore this, I created a dashboard comparing Lebanese towns based on the number of restaurants and cafes, the number of hotels, and an overall Tourism Score that ranks towns according to their tourism readiness. Instead of relying on impressions or reputation, the data reveals how tourism infrastructure is truly distributed across the country. The results highlight unexpected leaders, surprising gaps, and a clearer understanding of which towns are prepared to welcome visitors and which ones still lack the necessary services.
Key Insights from the Dashboard
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Only a few towns offer a complete tourism ecosystem
The scatterplot shows that just a small number of towns have both high numbers of restaurants and cafes and multiple hotels. Towns such as Zgharta–Ehden, Bcharreh, and Bqerqacha stand out because they have a balanced mix of services that can support both short-term and overnight visitors.
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Ghobairi and Mina show strong activity but limited overnight capacity
On the far right of the scatterplot, Ghobairi and Mina appear with very high numbers of restaurants and cafes but almost no hotels. This suggests strong commercial and visitor activity but mainly in the form of day visits rather than extended stays. Their dense hospitality presence raises their tourism scores even though accommodations are limited.
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The Tourism Score reveals unexpected top-ranking towns
The Tourism Score bar chart shows that the towns with the highest tourism potential are not always the ones typically associated with tourism. Ghobairi ranks first with a score of 177, followed by Haret Hreik and Mina. Meanwhile, popular tourist towns such as Zahle, Jbeil, and Zgharta–Ehden perform well but do not lead the ranking. This shows that infrastructure, more than reputation, determines tourism readiness.
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Most towns have very limited tourism infrastructure
A large cluster of points near the origin of the scatterplot shows that most Lebanese towns have fewer than 10 restaurants and almost no hotels. These towns may rely on nearby hubs or seasonal tourism, but they lack the facilities needed to attract or accommodate visitors consistently.
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Urban density influences tourism scores more than geography
The data suggests that high-scoring towns tend to be commercially dense and urbanized rather than simply scenic or historic. This highlights the importance of services such as dining and accommodation options as the real foundation of tourism potential.
Conclusion
The dashboard reveals that tourism activity in Lebanon is unevenly distributed. A small number of towns dominate because they offer the right mix of infrastructure, while many others, despite natural or cultural advantages, lack the essential services needed to support consistent tourism. These findings point to two opportunities. First, towns rich in natural or cultural attractions but lacking infrastructure could benefit from targeted development. Second, high-scoring, service-dense towns can act as anchors for broader regional tourism strategies. Understanding these patterns through data helps support more balanced tourism development across the country and encourages investment where it can make the most meaningful impact.
by jkg05 | Nov 17, 2025 | Dashboard, Visualization
In the world of investment, it often feels like all the obvious opportunities are taken. We’re all looking for that next smart investment, the next area for growth, but the map looks crowded. The “obvious” winners are saturated, and the undeveloped areas seem to lack potential.
But what if we’ve been looking at the map all wrong?
I’ve been analyzing the tourism landscape, and the data tells a fascinating story. At first glance, it shows exactly what you’d expect.
Take a look at this chart. It plots the “Tourism Index” (think of this as the raw appeal of a town its beaches, history, or natural wonders) against its “Available Hospitality Infrastructure” (the hotels, restaurants etc..).
For the most part, the data points fall into predictable patterns. In the top right, you have the “obvious” winners: towns with high appeal and high infrastructure. They are successful, but they are also saturated markets, expensive to enter. In the bottom left, you have towns with low appeal and no infrastructure. No surprise, and no real opportunity.
This is the world as we see it today. But if you look closer, an exception appears, a powerful imbalance.
Do you see that cluster of red dots? That’s the real story.
These are towns with a world-class Tourism Index, scoring a 9 or 10 out of 10. The market has confirmed that people want to go to these places just as much as the most popular destinations on the chart.
But now, look at their infrastructure score. They aren’t high at all. They’re sitting at the floor.
This is the conflict in our story. This is the gap. We have towns with proven, high-value appeal but virtually no hotels, no quality restaurants, and no services for the tourists who want to be there.
This isn’t a problem. It’s a goldmine.
While everyone else is fighting for scraps in those crowded blue markets, we have a clear, data-driven signal pointing to an untapped market. This is our “what could be.”
Imagine being the first to build a quality hotel in a town that already has a “perfect 10” appeal. You’re not just hoping for demand; you’re meeting it. You’re not just competing; you’re creating the market.
These red dots aren’t just data points; they are invitations. They represent jobs we can create, local economies we can grow, and a smart, strategic investment with a powerful first-mover advantage.
The real opportunity isn’t in the crowded part of the map. It’s here, hidden in plain sight, in the gap between what is and what could be.
by mna93 | Nov 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Lebanon’s districts vary widely when it comes to tourism activity, restaurant availability, and the presence of essential services. This visualization brings these dimensions together—showing restaurant facilities, other facility types, and the average tourism index for the top 10 districts.
By comparing infrastructure with tourism demand, we can uncover which districts are well-prepared for visitors and which ones may be missing critical opportunities.
Uncovering Patterns Across Lebanon’s Top Districts
1. Baabda: Strong Infrastructure, High Tourism Appeal
Baabda leads with:
This balance of infrastructure and strong tourism interest positions Baabda as one of Lebanon’s most capable districts in handling visitor activity. The alignment suggests that investment here is already paying off.
2. Akkar: Large Services Base, Moderate Tourism
Akkar shows an interesting mismatch:
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High service availability (147 restaurants, 471 other facilities)
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But only a moderate tourism index (~2.8)
This indicates that while the district has a solid infrastructure base, tourism demand has not yet caught up. Akkar is a district with high readiness but underutilized potential.
3. Matn and Baalbek-Hermel: Growing Tourism, Balanced Facilities
Both districts show:
These districts appear to be in transition, strengthening both their tourism capacity and infrastructure at the same time. Continued investment could turn them into major tourism hubs.
4. Mount Lebanon and Tyre: Rising Tourism, Service Gaps Emerging
Mount Lebanon and Tyre display:
For Tyre, in particular:
This signals a service gap—visitors are coming, but the district may not have enough restaurants to support increasing demand.
5. Keserwan and Zahlé: Balanced and Visitor-Friendly
These districts show:
This indicates a healthy, balanced tourism ecosystem, where visitor numbers and available services are aligned. These are districts performing steadily and reliably.
6. Byblos and Nabatieh: Modest Facilities, Surprisingly High Tourism Scores
These districts appear last in service volume:
This suggests that demand exceeds current service capacity. Tourism interest is high, but visitors may find fewer restaurants and amenities. These districts represent strong investment opportunities, especially in hospitality and food services.
Conclusion: A Mixed Landscape of Opportunity and Growth
This comparison highlights clear contrasts across Lebanon’s districts:
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Some regions—like Baabda and Keserwan—are well-balanced and tourism-ready.
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Others—like Akkar—have strong infrastructure but lagging tourism interest.
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And several districts—like Tyre, Byblos, and Nabatieh—have high tourism demand but insufficient facilities.
Understanding these gaps helps identify where strategic investments in restaurants, hospitality, and visitor services can create the largest impact.
Call to Action
For policymakers, investors, and tourism stakeholders:
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Capitalize on high-demand underserved districts like Nabatieh, Byblos, and Tyre.
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Boost tourism promotion in infrastructure-ready districts like Akkar.
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Preserve and enhance the strong performance seen in Baabda and Keserwan.
With targeted action, Lebanon can strengthen its tourism infrastructure, improve visitor satisfaction, and unlock economic growth across all regions.
by hhm26 | Nov 7, 2023 | Uncategorized
As part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). Goal 8 is focused on “Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. In the city of Beirut, a group of us within the Lebanese ministry of tourism were teamed up with a group of people from the UN development program, and we were tasked to focus on SDG Goal 8.
We were thinking about a pressing challenge in the situation we are in now: if Lebanon is perceived as a tourist destination. Potential tourists/visitors to Lebanon always have something stopping them from visiting Lebanon, especially those who do not know much about it and have not visited it before.
These perceptions were highly influenced by the way the media portrays Lebanon with all its economic and political instabilities. We questioned what we could do to change this narrative, and how could we shift people’s perceptions of what Lebanon is to influence them to travel to this country full of rich culture and breathtaking landscapes.
The graph above shows the change in Lebanon’s GDP over the years, indicating a sudden fall after 2019. In the economic situation which we are currently in, Lebanon needs something to help revitalize this situation and help it grow again. For that reason, we launched a program to revitalize the Lebanese economy through tourism enhancement.
We analyzed several sources of data and came up with the visualization under. The visualization indicates there is a direct correlation between Lebanon’s GDP and tourism receipts. Up till 2018 and 2019 (shaded 1), we see Lebanon’s GDP and tourism receipts both at their highest points. After those years, we see a sudden drop in 2020 in both indicators (shaded 2).
For this reason, we did the following:
We invited travel bloggers, and social media influencers from around the world and we specifically targeted those with a large amount of following and influence. The goal of this was not to bring them so that they could showcase Lebanon to their following base. The goal behind this was to immerse them in the Lebanese culture and the activities and experiences they will cherish from being in Lebanon. That way, what they share with their audience is authentic, and true to the emotions they felt.
We also targeted other areas of improvement which were important for the success of the project. Those are regarding: infrastructure, marketing, and local community involvement. We coordinated with municipalities, as well as local businesses to ensure that all our key points are addressed to enhance the tourist experience in our country. We think that our concentrated efforts to enhance the tourism experience and actively include local communities are what will be responsible for revitalizing the Lebanese economy in the right direction again. In addition to stimulating the travel and tourism industry, our project will potentially have a positive knock-on effect on the whole economy, generating jobs and encouraging sustainable growth.
