A new report by Global Refund, the research tourism firm, shows that Saudi Arabia tourists dominate tourist spending in Lebanon, contributing about 20% of all tourist spending in the first half of 2009. Emirati and Kuwaiti travelers account for about 12% each of all tourist money spent, Egyptian tourists accounted for 8%, and Jordan tourists 7%.
Beirut received most of the tourism money at about 82% followed by the Metn area at 12%, Keserwan region 3%, the Baabda area ranked last, attracting only 1% of tourist spending. The report said that tourist spending growth in Lebanon dropped in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. Kuwaiti spending dropped 18%, UK 12%, Syrian 7%, French tourists 9%, and Egypt 4%. Lebanon Tourism Ministry figures show that 191,500 tourists visited in June alone, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year.
