Summary
As Lebanon's tourism industry faces a third dismal season in a row in the face of regional and local turmoil, the new tourism minister is looking to expand beyond the traditional Gulf tourists.
The need to attract tourists from beyond the traditional Gulf markets is especially important GCC states maintain their travel warnings on Lebanon, which Pharaon is working to get removed in the coming months.
Tourism in Lebanon has been hit as travel warnings over possible abductions and other security threats has kept Gulf tourists away for the past several years.
However, Pharaon is optimistic about the positive effect of the new Cabinet formation on the security situation, and its eventual contribution to rebuilding tourism.
While the number tourists from the Gulf dropped, Pharaon says that other Arab markets are ripe with potential.
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