Tourists spending up by 11 percent

Saudis increased their
spending by 41 percent

The expenditure of tourists grew by 11 percent during the first quarter of 2015, according to Global Blue’s ‘Insights into Tourist Spending Q1 2015’ report.

This positive trend started in late 2014 and is expected to prevail during 2015. “It is the first time in two years that we witness a positive growth worth mentioning,” said Joe Yacoub, Head of Commercial Lebanon at Global Blue.

Saudi tourists increased their spending by 41 percent, compared to the previous year and Kuwaitis by 30 percent. Saudis, Emiratis, Kuwaitis, and Egyptians are topping the list of spenders. According to Yacoub, Lebanese expatriates from Europe and Africa gave a good push to the spending cycle.

“Corrective measures and positive initiatives led by the Ministry of Tourism have helped to increasing inbound travel,” he said.

Beirut tops the list, followed by Kesrouan and Baabda in terms of areas in which spending was most noticeable. Yacoub said that the spending share of the Beirut City Center, technically in Baabda, was impressive. “Jounieh and Kaslik are good commercial districts and we are expecting a higher growth in these areas,” he said.