Tourism minister wants Arab states to lift travel restrictions on “safe” Lebanon
“Lebanon is the safest country in the world,” Tourism Minister Joseph Sarkis told a news conference here Monday as he urged Arab states to lift restrictions and travel warnings placed on Lebanon. Sarkis announced that he will soon tour the Arab world in order to make the case for lifting restrictions, adding that “the Lebanese still look forward to hosting their Arab neighbors in the manner that we have all become accustomed to.”
Tourism in Lebanon dominated the conference, with Sarkis repeatedly stressing the unique cultural, historical, environmental and entertainment attractions that set Lebanon apart from the rest of the region.
During the conference, Sarkis also addressed the closure of 16 pubs and restaurants in the Gemmayzeh area by the Tourism Ministry earlier this month.
Sarkis said the decision to shut down these “touristic establishments” occurred after Gemmayzeh area business owners were cautioned time and again to accommodate some of the demands made by local residents to “reduce street noise, lower sound levels, and monitor the actions of valet services” operating in the area.
The tourism minister explained that although the situation in Gemmayzeh was initially under control after a rise in investment in 2005, the government began receiving complaints from local residents as “the entertainment sector completely took off in this historic district and residential area.”
Sarkis then attributed the Tourism Ministry”s reluctance to act quickly to the “poor economic situation in the country – made worse by the summer 2006 war with Israel and the ensuing political crisis – that led us to play it slow with regard to restrictions on business activity.”
The minister said that several warnings were issued to businesses operating in the area, but that these were heeded by only a few owners. Sarkis explained that a protest by local residents, during which “we saw residents out in their nightgowns and pajamas demonstrating against excess disturbances” made it impossible for the ministry to continue to look the other way.
“Establishments lacking proper paperwork – nine businesses did not have either a license or even a licensing request filed at the ministry – were shut down immediately, as were establishments disregarding the warnings issued by the ministry earlier,” added Sarkis.
It appears that most owners affected by the decision have already agreed to submit agreements to restrict noise levels and monitor areas near their businesses in order to reduce commotion in the area, which would be enough to reopen already licensed businesses.
But Sarkis noted that restaurants and pubs operating without a license would have to formally submit a licensing request to the ministry, in order to allow the government to evaluate whether these businesses meet required standards of operation.
“These procedures are meant to minimize the disturbances in the Gemmayzeh area,” added Sarkis. “Part of Lebanon”s attraction is the unique lifestyle in this region, which is why we understand where the owners are coming from and hope to [find a middle way].”