Arab world fearful of travelling regionally

Lebanon has experienced its worst record of tourism, since the civil war between Maronite Christians and Muslims, the country’s Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud said. He added that tourism from Gulf nations has seen a 90 percent decline, along with a 5 percent drop in people from outside the Middle East, stressing that businesses have struggled to recuperate operational costs. In a press statement he said, “What has been witnessed during the current season is not the tourist movement that we look forward to.” Abboud said people from nearby countries are being fearful of traveling to the country, even those with friends and family in the country.  He accused Lebanese politicians of scaremongering, and said the government had done very little to improve the lack of tourism in the country. The Minister said he is willing to visit Gulf states, providing they cooperate in forming regional stability.