Israeli strike on the southern suburb of Beirut, March 28, 2025. Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour
BEIRUT — Lebanon's tourism sector has yet to see a major impact on travel bookings following Israel’s March 28 airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, despite claims that tourists had postponed their flights, according to industry representatives.
Jean Abboud, president of the Association of Travel and Tourist Agents in Lebanon (ATTAL), told L’Orient-Le Jour on Monday that "no significant change" in bookings had been observed as of last weekend, before a fresh Israeli strike targeted the area on Tuesday morning.
"With agencies closed since the weekend due to Eid al-Fitr, we do not yet have visibility on the potential impact of this strike on bookings," Abboud said on April 1.
Postponements after Friday's strike
On Friday at midday, Israel conducted an airstrike on a building in Hadath, in Beirut's southern suburbs, marking the first such attack since a cease-fire in Lebanon was signed on Nov. 27. The strike came after two rockets — unclaimed by any group — were fired toward northern Israel earlier that day. One of the rockets was intercepted, and the other landed inside Lebanese territory.
The escalation occurred just days before Eid al-Fitr, typically a peak period for foreign and Arab tourists as well as expatriates visiting Lebanon.
Jean-Claude Hawat, president of the Tourist Guides Syndicate, said in a Monday interview with Voice of Lebanon that the strike had prompted a significant number of tourists from Europe and Arab countries to postpone their trips. He stressed that political and security stability were crucial to reviving the tourism sector.
However, Abboud said ATTAL had not observed any major changes in bookings so far but was closely monitoring the situation.
No immediate impact on restaurants and cafes
Tony Rami, head of the syndicate representing Lebanon’s restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and pastry shops, condemned the Israeli strikes and urged against actions that could further destabilize the country.
Despite heightened tensions over the past week, Rami noted that restaurants and cafes remained "full during the first two days of Eid al-Fitr," with strong turnout on Sunday and Monday.
Pierre Achkar, president of the Federation of Tourism Unions in Lebanon, called on the Lebanese government to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and work toward lifting what he described as a "tourism embargo" imposed on Lebanon at regional and international levels. He described war as the "worst enemy" of the hospitality sector, warning that the ongoing conflict hinders the growth and prosperity of hotels and restaurants.
Achkar also said he had submitted a letter to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s office advocating for Lebanon’s reintegration into the Arab and international tourism market. He proposed reopening René Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat, in northern Lebanon, to attract low-cost carriers.
Despite Friday’s strike, most airlines have continued operating flights to Beirut international airport without cancellations or schedule changes. Fly Emirates is maintaining its planned expansion, adding an additional daily flight between Dubai and Beirut starting Tuesday.
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