The summer season has relatively begun, and with it comes the usual rush to pools and chalets, which is evident during weekends as coastal tourist institutions experience crowds, especially since the prices cater to different segments. However, it is too early to judge the season from its beginning, especially considering the looming danger over the country, with warnings issued by embassies to their nationals, which may lead to a significant number of them refraining from visiting Lebanon.
Secretary-General of the Union of Tourism Institutions, Jean Beiruti, explains that "the number of chalets in Lebanon is limited, and most of them do not belong to institutions; most owners used to rent them out to tourists or to Lebanese who wanted to rent." He adds, in an interview with MTV: "However, due to Lebanese not traveling abroad because of the economic crisis the country is experiencing, chalet owners are using them themselves instead of renting them out," pointing out that "the prices remain as they were last year and have not changed."
Beiruti confirms that "coastal tourist institutions are prepared and awaiting the season. However, the disaster would be if this season is not good, as is the case with the hotel sector, where occupancy rates do not exceed 20 percent due to the Gaza war and the lack of tourist arrivals, instead of being more than 80 percent, as was the case in previous years." He notes that "owners of coastal tourism institutions are waiting until the end of the season to assess the situation, especially since the fees for renting public waterfront properties paid to the state are high."
What about the coastal tourist institutions in Jiyeh and the southern regions? Beiruti answers: "Everyone living in the area is experiencing real resistance," pointing out that the situation is good in Jiyeh, particularly as it is far from the war, unlike the south, where the occupancy rate is very low and chalets and hotels are empty.
Beiruti concludes, expressing concern for the hotel and car rental sectors, along with the situation of tour guides, due to the challenges they face because of the deteriorating conditions.
