Ministry of Tourism lures
Russians and Chinese

Charter flights underway

The Ministry of Tourism is working on attracting tourists from Russia and China.

There are 110 million Chinese tourists who visit different countries each year. Minister Michel Pharaon said: “We invited Chinese travel agencies to visit Lebanon in hopes they are encouraged to set up periodic trips for their clients.” But the process is still in its early stages.

The ministry has also given classes in Russian language to tour guides. “Russian tourists are not going as frequently as before to neighboring countries,” he said. Russians might not be very excited to visit this region now because of a number of security incidents that have occurred lately.

Five Stars Tours is studying the possibility of sending charter flights, both ways, between Lebanon and Russia. “We might not make it this summer, but I think we can, starting next year,” said Hassan Daher, Owner. Visas for Russian tourists have been eased.

“Most Russian tourists are interested in cheap prices and in visiting the sea,” he said. Daher said that the trip would be for seven nights and eight days for $500, including the ticket. Among the locations that they would take tourists on are Jeita, Harissa, Jbeil, Cedars, Baalbek, Saida, and Tyr.