With the start of the tourist season in Lebanon, restaurants, nightclubs, and streets are bustling with tourists and expatriates aiming to enjoy a unique summer under the exceptional Lebanese sun. Despite Lebanon's need for careful attention, it continues to bring life to everyone who visits.
However, alongside the many positives that rejuvenate hearts and also revitalize the country's struggling economy, a strange "phenomenon" has emerged in recent months: the exorbitant prices of "valet parking," which have become unreal in certain locations. Complaints have been reported in several areas, including Brummana, where "valet" companies are utilizing public roads and forcing people to pay if they wish to park their cars in the area.
In this regard, the Mayor of Brummana, Pierre Achkar, clarifies that there is a street filled with restaurants, and the municipality has requested that valet parking companies leave space for four cars in front of each restaurant for drop-ins, in order to prevent people from parking their cars in the middle of the road. He adds in an interview with MTV: "In these streets, it is not allowed for people to park their cars due to the significant congestion that would occur if everyone wanted to do so. Thus this initiative was set up to reduce congestion and serve the citizens in the best way possible."
He continues: "We are trying to make things easier for everyone, and we do not want to fall into a congestion problem. Therefore, there is a valet in front of each restaurant to take care of the customer's car, and another valet is available where the customer requests to park their car by themselves, meaning in public spaces, all of which is to keep things organized. Additionally, we are committed to the official price, which is only 25,000 LBP, unlike other areas."
He concludes: "We are also trying to help restaurant owners and support them, especially in this tourist season, as they are heavily reliant on it. They will benefit now and in the coming two months, after which things will return to normalcy and the stagnation will return, so it is our duty to ensure the best experience for tourists and citizens to pass through this season calmly."
Finally, the tourist season is "fiery" from "the start of its entry," and this glimmer of hope is the only thing amidst all the crises faced by citizens. So, will there be a "hangover from the summer for the winter thoughts"?
