Lebanon's Religious Tourism Enkindles Fresh Economic VistasSource: www.export-egypt.com 7/19/2017, Location: Middle East |
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Lebanon is leaving no stone unturned to promote its tourism sector, which is a main economic source, by revamping cultural religious tourism, which can draw more tourists and stipulate rural sustainable development.
Acting on the fresh trend, Lebanon hinges upon its many areas that are rich in cultural and religious sites that date back to early Islamic and Christian eras and manifest architecture and cultural creativity. This Arab country boasts mosques, churches, temples and archaeological, historical and religious sites nationwide, in addition to its vast mountains that partly pose as a real museum. In 2009, Lebanon launched its cultural religious tourism project with a view to promoting the country as a major world destination. A specialized unit was set up at the Lebanese Cabinet for the purpose. Speaking to KUNA about the plan, project coordinator Rola Al-Ajouz said it mainly aims at providing better living conditions to local farmers, craftsmen and others, who live in historical and archaeological areas, by helping them sell their diverse products to visitors and tourists. It is also intends to raise people's income, create new jobs and spur fresh investments that could encourage sustainable growth and stimulate the positive role of these projects to curb emigration of peasantry, she said. Furthermore, the project would bring benefits to all segments of the Lebanese society in general and young people in particular, and would even make local communities more reactive and ambitious, Al-Ajouz added . The project began with the issuance of a database of 250 religious and cultural landmarks, which are visited by people from different religious affiliations, she pointed out. Religious tourism across the world attracted more than 300 million tourists and generated roughly USD 18 billion in 2009, she said, citing international travel agencies' statistics. Echoing the project manager's views, professor Khaled Tadmeri told KUNA that Lebanon is a tourist country whose economy is mainly reliant upon . Over recent years, Lebanon has sought to manifest its religious cultural tourism, given that it enjoys many historical and religious landmarks nationwide, he added. Lebanon is of world significance in terms of religious, cultural and traditional tourism since it is home to many churches and mosques that date back to the early eras of Christianity and Islam, the Lebanese professor noted. On her part, Dr. Nada Al-Helw, a specialist in ancient art, said the countryside in Lebanon boasts numerous religious and cultural sites, which still require more official care. |
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