May 04 2011 |
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Lebanon plans exit tax on travellers
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai Lebanon will levy a $3 (Dh11) exit tax on travellers to raise $15 million in a bid to boost tourism revenues, Fadi Aboud, the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, told Gulf News.
Tourism, which currently contributes 22 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), may drop this year, he said, amid concerns that Osama Bin Laden’s death may lead to a backlash from terrorist groups in the region.
The current tourism promotion budget is $1.3 million. “It’s embarrassing compared to other Arab countries,” he added.
The tourism minister will call for a meeting between his Arab counterparts to discuss ways to promote the region during the tumult of revolutions and following the death of Bin Laden.
“We want a meeting with the Arab ministers of tourism to find clever ways of advertising, not just to quell fears.”
In its efforts to promote tourism, Lebanon is offering reduced rates to attract bargain hunters — a new strategic market for the country, he said.
“We are not happy with the image that Lebanon is only for the very wealthy.”
Lebanon is also continuing efforts to liaise with Syria, Jordan and Turkey for the “Sham-gen,” a single visa system similar to the Schengen in Europe, that allows visitors to the Sham [Levant area] to travel to all the member countries on one visa.
The intention is to reduce beaurocracy and administrative routine in visa processing.
“In the second quarter I expect the numbers to be as good as last year and improving. Lebanon is the safest place in the Levant,” he said.
Asked if the unrest in countries like Egypt and Tunisia has benefited tourism to Lebanon, he said, “Lebanon has relative political stability and security. We don’t want Lebanon to take over Egypt, Syria and Tunisia [share] but security is good. We expect a good summer.”
22%
tourism’s contribution to Lebanon’s GDP
$1.3m
current size of tourism promotion budget
By Deena Kamel Yousef?Staff Reporter
© Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
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