Lebanon's tourist arrivals drop 32 percent in 2024

BEIRUT — Lebanon saw a sharp drop in foreign tourist arrivals in 2024, with numbers falling to 1,131,100 — a 32.1 percent decrease from 1,666,492 in 2023 and down 22.8 percent from 1,465,953 in 2022, according to the latest Tourism Ministry figures published in Byblos Bank's weekly report.

The downturn, which has had widespread economic repercussions for Lebanon’s tourism sector, was largely driven by the war between Israel and Hezbollah. The fighting, which erupted on Oct. 8, 2023, escalated significantly in September 2024 before a cease-fire was reached on Nov. 27. Nonetheless, it's worthy to note that the cease-fire remains fragile, with Israel conducting strikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, while its troops maintain their occupations of key areas in southern Lebanon.

The deteriorating security situation and the looming threat of strikes on Beirut’s international airport prompted major international airlines to suspend flights to the capital in late September. While some carriers gradually resumed operations in December, Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines, remained the only airline operating flights throughout the period.

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Monthly data shows a steady decline in tourist numbers throughout the year, reflecting the prolonged instability. Compared with the corresponding months in 2023, arrivals fell by 12 percent in January, 6.5 percent in February, 20.8 percent in March, 16.8 percent in April, 18.7 percent in May, 17.4 percent in June, 26.8 percent in July, 48.7 percent in August, 49.5 percent in September, 86.4 percent in October, 64.4 percent in November, and 26.4 percent in December.

European visitors accounted for the largest share of tourists in 2024, totaling 464,942 and making up 41 percent of arrivals. They were followed by tourists from Arab countries (268,281; 23.7 percent), the Americas (231,355; 20.5 percent), Asia (63,400; 5.6 percent), Africa (56,939; 5 percent), and Oceania (45,981; 4.1 percent).