-50% tourism revenue drops from last year due to the war

Tourism revenues in Lebanon fell in 2026 to nearly half of what the sector generated last year, in a summer that was expected to continue the country’s tourism recovery before war and security concerns disrupted bookings and cut short one of Lebanon’s most important seasons.

Pierre Achkar, President of the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and head of the Hotel Owners’ Syndicate, said that more than half of Lebanese expatriates living in the United States, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and other countries cancelled their reservations. The season also started much later than usual, with real activity only picking up around July 15 instead of beginning in May. By the time tourism regained some momentum, many expatriates were already preparing to return to their countries of residence between August 15 and 25.

As a result, a season that thousands of workers and businesses depend on throughout the year was reduced to just a few weeks. The decline affected hotels, restaurants, cafés, travel agencies, and many other sectors that rely directly or indirectly on tourism activity.

The sector is now placing its hopes on Christmas and New Year’s, hoping the holiday season can bring activity back to hotels, restaurants, and the streets, and give Lebanon a chance to recover at least part of what was lost during the summer months.