Emirates have recently landed their superjumbo jet at Beirut International Airport. It’s the first landing of its kind, carrying paying passengers and this was conducted to see how well Beirut Airport can cope with the supersize Airbus A380.
Since the problems in Syria, tourism to Lebanon has fallen as travellers fear an overspill of violence from Syria could put them in danger. However, tourism does now appear to be on the rise, with more passengers now travelling to Lebanon than over the last few years.
Can Beirut Airport Handle It?
Tourism is very important to the Lebanese economy, so getting this back on track would be a major boost for the nation. However, currently, Lebanon only has the one airport, Rafik Hakiri International Airport in Beirut, and it is woefully outdated and prone to long queues and delays. The facilities are outdated and in need of a major overhaul. There is hope on the horizon though, with Middle East Airlines, Lebanon’s major airline looking into expanding and improving Rafik Hakiri International.
Is Lebanon safe for tourists?
Many travel advisories for Lebanon have been downgraded recently. There are some areas to which you shouldn’t travel, especially as a tourist, particularly those close to the border with Syria. However, Beirut itself is considered to be largely safe to visit if you take sensible precautions and spend some time learning about the areas of the city that should be avoided. Foreign tourists are advised to pay close attention to security, especially when in public areas. Prepare yourself before you travel and Beirut has a lot to offer.
So much more to Beirut
With the civil war not so far in the past, many of us hear the word ‘Beirut’ and think of a war zone. How many times have you heard the phrase ‘It’s like Beirut’ to describe a particularly dangerous area of a town or city? But things have started to change now. Beirut was once known as ‘the Paris of the Middle East’ and a visit to the city will remind you where this nickname came from. The vibe around the cafes and restaurants will certainly put you in mind of some of the finest European tourist destinations. There’s a wealth of history and architecture and a beautiful beach. In short, it’s everything you could want from a leisure destination.
While many may not yet feel comfortable with taking a vacation in Beirut, hopefully the tide is on the turn for Lebanese tourism and in years to come tourism to Lebanon will grow, and the safety of tourists within the country will improve to a level whereby we don’t need to give it any more thought than we would for any other tourist destination.
Emily is an avid writer with a passion for the travel industry. She also loves learning and writing about nutrition and healthy living. Emily is based in the UK.
