Demand for tourism in Lebanon is expected to grow at a rate of 6.6 percent this year, ranking Lebanon first among worldwide countries in terms of the growth expected in tourism activity, WTTC said. Tourism activity in Lebanon is expected to grow by 11.3 percent in 2010, followed by Qatar (10.9 percent), and Sri Lanka (10.2 percent), the figures showed.

A total of 199,000 jobs will be offered by the tourism sector in Lebanon this year, WTTC said. The growth rate ranks Lebanon will be the highest among worldwide countries, WTTC said. The growth in terms of employment is also the highest among all worldwide countries. Swaziland came second in the forecasts at 6.5 percent, and Cambodia third at 6.3 percent.
 
WTTC said that employment in the tourism industry in the Middle East will account for 3.4 percent of total employment in the region.