The Lebanese Tourism Sector in Turmoil

September 10,2020 0 Rita Ghantous

The Lebanese Federation for Tourism organized a gathering on Tuesday 25 August at noon, in Mar Mkhayel, in solidarity with all those who were affected by Beirut’s port explosion.

The economic situation has long been weighing heavily on the hospitality sector especially after the Beirut explosion. Things took a turn for the worse with the government’s decision to impose a two-week COVID-19 lockdown to stem a string of record daily infections.

In an emotionally charged speech, Tony Ramy, president of The Lebanese Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night-Clubs & Pastries, announced that the government’s arbitrary decision to close down, whether partially or fully, is irrelevant. He said: “We no longer recognize the state thus we will no longer adhere to their decisions nor pay them a single penny. The government has caused the tourism industry to lose around $1 billion, of which $315 million has been suffered by restaurants alone.”

Tony Ramy’s call for civil disobedience against the state came after the government’s total disregard for the good of the country.

In a sudden turn of events, the LFA and The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night-Clubs & Pastries were left to stand alone. After the Lebanese Ministry of Interior threatened to take extreme measures against those who didn’t comply with the lockdown, the Syndicate of Hotel Owners and Beirut Traders Association backed down.

Tony Ramy’s restaurant Al Falamanki was forced to shut down after defying the lockdown.

The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night-Clubs & Pastries held on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, a meeting with the Lebanese Committee for Preventive Measures and Procedures for COVID-19. The committee discussed their concerns and developed a plan to guide them through the next stage. Both parties agreed that they need to make sure that the suggested guidelines and procedures are implemented and monitored; action will be taken against violators.

After having visited the Minister of Health, the Minister of Interior Defense and Minister of Tourism, Tony Ramy urged his fellow stakeholders to abide by the COVID-19 safety guidelines for the good of the hospitality sector, stating that the consequences would be dire otherwise.

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About author

Rita Ghantous

Publication Executive

Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.