Tourism in Lebanon

Economy of Lebanon
Overview
Other topics
Beirut Central District
Mount Lebanon

The tourism industry in Lebanon has been important to the local economy historically and comprises a major source of revenue for the country.

From Stone Age settlements to Phoenician city-states, Roman temples to rock-cut hermitages, Crusader castles to Mamluk mosques and Ottoman hammams, the country's many historical landmarks and archaeological sites reflect thousands of years of world history.[1] In addition, Lebanon has a history of cultural tourism. Outsider interest in Lebanese culture was especially stirred following the visits of European orientalists, scholars, and poets, particularly Alphonse de Lamartine, Ernest Renan, and Victor Guérin.[2][3]

Prior to the Lebanese Civil War, Lebanon was regarded as "The Switzerland of the Middle East",[4] and Beirut was referred to as "The Paris of the Middle East",[5][6][7] and as a financial hub.

Casino du Liban reopened in 1996. The largest ski resort in the country was expanded and modernized.[citation needed] Lebanon's tourism industry also relies on Lebanese living abroad, who return regularly to the country during the summer season.[8]

Old City of Sidon
  1. ^ Explore Culture & History in Lebanon. Retrieved on 15 June 2008 Archived 16 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "informations sur le Liban et le proche-orient - citations". Le journal des amis du Liban dans le monde. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  3. ^ "Byblos (Lebanon)". About.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  4. ^ Nisan, Mordechai (2002-09-06). Minorities in the Middle East: A History of Struggle and Self-Expression, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1375-1.
  5. ^ Moussawi, Ghassan (2013). "Queering Beirut, the 'Paris of the Middle East': fractal Orientalism and essentialized masculinities in contemporary gay travelogues". Gender, Place & Culture. 20 (7): 858–875. doi:10.1080/0966369X.2012.753586. ISSN 0966-369X. S2CID 144168846.
  6. ^ Abramian, Jackie (4 August 2021). "A Year After The Blast, Paris Of The Middle East, Lebanon, Is An Economic, Political And Social Wreck". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  7. ^ Totten, Michael J. (2013). "Can Beirut Be Paris Again?". City Journal. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  8. ^ "Profile of Lebanon : Economy". The US embassy in Lebanon Site. Archived from the original on 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2008-06-10.