The Minister of Tourism presented the priorities of the coming months in the ministry

Delivery and delivery ceremony took place in the Ministry of Tourism before this afternoon between former Minister Walid Nassar and Minister Laura Al -Khazen Lahoud, in the Layla al -Solh Hall Hamada.

Minister Nassar gave a speech in which he welcomed the Minister Al -Khazen Lahoud and the attendees, thanking the “employees and employees in the ministry”, expressing “his great joy in the assumption of Mrs. Laura Al -Khazen Lahoud, the portfolio of the Ministry of Tourism.”

He said: “The Ministry of Tourism carried out 1645 activities and a project without arranging any financial cost on the state treasury, but was funded through gifts provided by donors, where several gifts were presented to the Ministry from private companies and institutions to support tourism projects through decrees that were approved in the Council of Ministers, Or at the minister’s personal expense (except for the celebration of the Douma town announcement from the best tourist villages, where the Secretary -General of the United Nations and the accompanying delegation was hosted for 3 days). Then he presented the main achievements of the Ministry, including cooperation with the United Nations Tourism Organization, the election of Lebanon as a member of the Competitiveness and Tourism Committee until 2027, and the Lebanese Republic joining in part to the International Blog for the Protection of Tourism.

He pointed out that “Lebanon officially nominated on April 9, 2024 with an official request to obtain a seat in the Executive Council of the Regional Office of the Middle East of the United Nations Tourism for the period from 2025 and 2029.”

He added: “Cooperation with the Arab Organization for Tourism and with the Council of Europe for Cultural Missiles, with the conclusion of agreements with the abroad to develop tourism, matters and activities to develop the work of the ministry, launch tourism campaigns and increase the number of tourists through tourism promotion campaigns, the project of tourism administrative decentralization, decrees and draft laws and decisions Administrative. Planning for current and future projects.

He concluded, calling for “the need to support the private sector and continue to enhance tourism infrastructure. The tasks and duties were delivered in full transparency and accuracy, with the commitment of professional standards. We hope that the Ministry of Tourism continues to enhance its position as a basic pillar in the state’s economy, and achieve successes to serve the public interest. ”

Then Minister Al -Khazen Lahoud delivered a speech that she started with thanks to the attendees and the media, and she said: “I would like to thank Minister Walid Nassar his welcome, and for all the efforts he made in the tourism sector, despite the most difficult circumstances that passed through Lebanon. Minister Nassar left a positive imprint, and I am sure that I will continue to cooperate with him, and benefit from his experience, to advance the tourism sector in Lebanon.

She added: “I am very happy to appoint me as Minister of Tourism, because I will have an opportunity to serve my country, in a field I know very well and love him so much. At the same time, I know the size of responsibility, and how great challenges are. With all of this, I am optimistic, because Lebanon entered a new positive stage, with President Joseph Aoun’s election, and the formation of the government of President Nawaf Salam, who thanked them for the confidence that they have given me.

She continued: “Tourism is not just an economic sector, but rather a platform for cultural exchange, a bridge for communication, and a flame for all regions in Lebanon. We all know that the basis for tourism is security and stability, and Lebanon has gone through a very harsh stage, which affected tourism and all the economy. Today, we have an opportunity to restore trust, and to prove security and stability in all regions, and this will be a priority of the government, because it is without security and stability, not tourism or prosperity. Tourism can collect and unite people. This thing is not only important until we improve our economic situation, but also until we assure the world the true image of Lebanon: a country of hope, creativity and innovation.

The priorities of the coming months in the Ministry of Tourism were offered: Lebanon is rich in the diversity of nature, climate, and charming areas in all seasons. We will seek to expand the tourist calendar, in order to include all seasons and all the months of the year and all regions, because the success of tourism creates a bound economic role, contributing to sustainable development in all regions and alleviating the pressure of the suffocating economic tumor that citizens suffer. Do not forget that we have a large and influential Lebanese community all over the world. Our aim is to make every expatriate ambassador for tourism in Lebanon, by making every visit to Lebanon an unforgettable atheism. Our goal also is to restore Arab and Gulf tourists, who constitute the natural depth of Lebanon, they love Lebanon, and they have always been the main part of the tourist movement. And the restoration of expatriates, Arab and foreign tourists requires a great effort not at the level of security and stability, but also at the level of services, facilities and appropriate promotion. Investing in the Lebanese cuisine as one of the most fierce elements around the world, and the principles were linked to the field of Lebanese cuisine around the world with the Lebanese land, land and traditions. Fourth, in cooperation with all the ministries concerned, I will support the development of the environment, to support a new pattern of tourism consumption that preserves the land and heritage, and religious tourism, which shed light on the diversity of the spiritual and richness of Lebanon. Hospital tourism through the distinction of health centers and services. Of course, cultural qualification, in appreciation of the artistic and literary movement, so that every visitor to Lebanon is living.

She pointed out that “these priorities are achieved unless we care about the human energies in this sector because the human being is active as the treasure of Lebanese tourism. The cadres and minister of tourism are the most important elements of these energies, and I will strive to strengthen this staff and improve its conditions, of course within the real capabilities.

She concluded: “The Ministry of Tourism cannot alone achieve a full renaissance for this sector. We want to cooperate with all sides: the private sector, municipalities, unions, tourism and hotel federations, local and international societies that despite all the crises, still organize the strongest festivals and cultural activities . “Sawa, all of you, with every ministry employee and all of your partners in the sector, we can create a new vision and we rise with tourism again in all regions. Lebanon deserves and we are ready to start. ”