Antoun el-Fata, "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency

Source: a country without security and hospitals is not able to attract tourists

It is true that the start of the summer season is still somewhat far away, and it is too early to decide on the prospects of the expected tourist seasons in any country, since now, however, we also cannot overlook the effects and consequences of Turkish earthquakes and aftershocks on the summer 2023 tourism season in Turkey, which is one of the most important tourist countries in the eastern Mediterranean, and in the region separating Asia and Europe.

An expert source in tourism Affairs confirmed that "the results of the recent earthquakes have begun to be reflected not only on the study of the prospects of the tourism season in Turkey, but they affect the Turkish economy in general, especially since the real estate sector began to incur noticeable losses there, and even in Istanbul itself, after the earthquakes. This indicates that the near future warns of critical data".

In an interview with "Akhbar Al-Yawm" agency, it is likely that "the peak of the Turkish tourism decline is likely during the next few months, and it may already affect the tourism season in the summer of 2023, before the recovery begins again after a certain period of time".

"As for the high tourist fortunes in Lebanon, its situation is not ordinary, and it is not able to form an actual tourist alternative, no matter how many tourist institutions increase their offers during the coming summer. This is not related to the risk of earthquakes in the minds of Western tourists, but to Lebanon's reputation abroad, which is no longer completely good, as it is seen as a country of political, security, financial and economic turmoil, and as a country devoid of institutions", he added.

The source pointed out, "we rely exclusively on Lebanese expatriates. But even these may not be able to come to Lebanon if the Lebanese crisis exceeds limits. Therefore, there are no realistic tourism prospects for Lebanon", the source continued.

He concluded: "A country without an economy, judiciary, security, and even without hospitals, is not able to attract tourists in the actual sense of the word. For example, which Lebanese accepts to travel for tourism in a country that is suffering under this kind of circumstances? No one, of course".