The summer tourist season for 2024 kicks off today, Sunday, July 7, at the Cedars of Shouf Nature Reserve, particularly in the Barouk Cedar Forest and its town. This launch occurs amidst a backdrop of security confusion and ongoing instability in Lebanon, particularly concerning fears of escalating Israeli attacks. However, the determination of the people of Shouf, like all Lebanese, to face these challenges appears to be greater, and this is evident in various places coinciding with the arrival of highly anticipated summer seasons aimed at realizing dreams and goals pursued by the relevant authorities.
Tourism Minister Walid Nassar is participating in the opening of the events at the reserve at the invitation of the Barouk-Freidis municipality, alongside Mrs. Nora Jumblatt, and both will deliver speeches on the occasion. The mayor of Barouk, attorney Eli Nakhle, highlighted to "Anbaa" their participation and efforts to support and enhance the tourist seasons, especially in Shouf, where tourism is one of the main sources of oxygen for the ailing heart of Lebanon during these difficult times. The Barouk-Freidis municipality works to activate tourism and increase visitor numbers year after year, in cooperation with the Cedars of Shouf Reserve while putting in place necessary future plans to achieve this goal.
Additionally, the involvement of civil society helps to introduce useful ideas and projects for the town. The municipality is ambitious for Barouk to remain a destination for various types of tourism. Nakhle stated: "The area deserves attention, as it is a beautiful expanse filled with refreshing air and the unique charm surrounding the Barouk mountains, including Mehryeh, Shouf presses, Niha, and the presence of the Cedars of Shouf Reserve, which sees about 100,000 visitors annually who come to hike and enjoy the beauty of the cedar forest. This is not to mention the enchanting waters flowing from the Barouk River near cafes and tourist restaurants, frequented by a representative number of visitors—some come to enjoy famous Lebanese cuisine, others for evenings by the river, some to relive innocent childhood through the region's largest amusement park, and others seeking spiritual experiences at the historical religious sites and churches in the town, following the course of the Barouk River to the beautiful towns of the Shouf area that nourish its fields."
He concluded: "This season will be special as it includes the launch of paragliding, yoga sessions in the cedar forest, opening a farmers' market, and hosting an artistic event." For his part, the director of the Cedars of Shouf Reserve, Dr. Nizar Hani, pointed out to "Anbaa" the significance of the event titled "Journey to Shouf, a Journey." He discussed the developed tourist attraction efforts that the reserve has successfully achieved over recent years, despite the challenges faced by the Lebanese people in terms of security, economic, and social difficulties. The reserve has, in cooperation with the local community, which remains essential for development, become a booster for the local economy and a source of income for many families.
Hani mentioned that he prioritizes tourism to achieve sustainable development, which the reserve has sought to enhance and implement in its strategic plans. He noted that the income from guesthouses alone reached about $1.3 million in 2022, and this figure will likely increase with further economic stability. He also highlighted that the range of products sold at the reserve is vast, generating significant income for producers, farmers, beekeepers, and others.
He concluded with hopes that the Cedars of Shouf Reserve will be the favored destination this summer for tourists and expatriates, believing this season holds promise despite everything after the hardships of the past four years. Services associated with the reserve are ensured, including water, tourism, and development. The last study conducted in 2015 valued these services at $19 million. We expect this amount to triple in 2024, given that we now have larger facilities for bottling water, bigger establishments to welcome visitors, and larger entities for producing various agricultural products.
