The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is finalizing a promotion plan involving several ‘Travel to Lebanon’ packages for summer. The announcement was made this week during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The MoT is relying on the Diaspora among other visitors. “We consider their visit to the country a national duty,” Minister Michel Pharaon said.

Pharaon said that the ban by Gulf states have been lifted unofficially and that he expects it to be officially lifted by the end of the month. Saudi Ambassador Ali Awad Assiri had declared that KSA has no travel ban for its citizens on Lebanon.

A senior officer at the ministry said the packages will target secure areas such as Batroun, Jbeil, and other cities in Mount Lebanon. They will also be focused on eco-tourism.

“Packages will bring a basket of offers from discounted travel tickets in collaboration with Middle East Airlines, to tour operators and participating boutique hotels,” said the source at MoT.

Pharaon said that the country regained its security stability with the new Cabinet and this raised expectations of a better summer season. “The market will start getting back its Gulf tourists very soon,” he said. Gulf countries did not issue official statements yet, but their last year’s travel ban was eased lately.

The MoT will also launch a new website to promote its activities and local tourism. Pharaon said that the website will also be used as a reservation portal.