Liliane Mokbel 2025-09-27 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute
A fresh wind is blowing through Lebanon’s tourism scene, and it’s coming from the mountains: guesthouses are on the rise. Once limited to around 40 discreet spots, there are now more than 300 open to visitors – true hidden gems nestled in the heart of villages. More than just places to stay, each guesthouse reflects the soul of its region: ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-09-20 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
A total of 2,600 job titles are set to be eliminated from the public administration, as proposed by Nisrine Machmouchi, President of the Civil Service Council. These roles, considered obsolete, are the result of years of what she describes as “anarchic recruitment” and “unusual” job titles, often lacking clear job descriptions. To ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-09-13 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
In Lebanon, the back-to-school season is no longer about fresh notebooks and new backpacks. Instead, it unfolds in the shadow of economic hardship and painful trade-offs. Families, overwhelmed by the ongoing financial crisis, are slashing their spending on school supplies, even as private schools continue to require new textbooks every year, often ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-09-06 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Airbnb, the California-born success story, has dramatically reshaped the landscape of tourist accommodation worldwide, and Lebanon is no exception. The platform has seen remarkable growth across the country. The steadily increasing number of nightly listings reflects the scale of the phenomenon and is fueling growing concern within the hotel ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-08-30 16:00 - Reading : less than a minute
The 2025 wedding season in Lebanon has seen an unprecedented decline, confirming the continued downturn of a sector already weakened in recent years. According to industry professionals, the number of weddings has dropped to just 35% of pre-2019 levels, compared to 50% in 2023 and 40% in 2024. A total decrease of 65% since the beginning of the ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-08-16 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute
In 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed 19.8% of Lebanon’s GDP, more than double its share in 2023 (8.4%), according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). This marks a significant rebound from 2019, when the sector represented 18.9% of GDP, before Lebanon faced a series of overlapping crises. In terms of revenue, the sector ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-08-09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
In just a few months, the sun has set on Lebanon’s booming solar panel market. According to customs data, imports dropped by 72% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The total value fell to $21 million, down from $75 million in 2024, with volumes shrinking from 34,000 tons to 11,000 tons. The contrast is even ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-08-02 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute
Banks Beirut Port European Union
The Ministry of Finance is accelerating its efforts to modernize Lebanon’s customs operations. With a clear goal of enhancing public revenue collection, a large-scale digital transformation is underway, impacting both the Directorate of Revenues and the Customs Directorate. Key initiatives include the gradual rollout of electronic payment ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-07-26 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
What began as an environmental emergency is now fueling a national energy crisis. The severe drop in water levels at Lake Qaraoun is crippling Lebanon’s hydroelectric output and threatening power security across the country. In June 2025, hydroelectric production decreased by 76 percent compared to the same month in the previous year. Only 12 ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-07-19 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
The Lebanese arak industry is enjoying a remarkable revival. In 2024, exports of this iconic spirit reached 980,000 bottles, up from 700,000 in 2016. This represents a nearly 40 percent increase over eight years. In terms of value, the growth is even more impressive, rising from $3.7 million to $6.2 million, an increase of more than 67 ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-07-12 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Amid ongoing conflict and persistent economic instability, remittances from Lebanese abroad continue to play a vital role in Lebanon’s financial survival. Since 2006, when remittance flows hit a low of $5.72 billion, the volume of money sent back to Lebanon has fluctuated in response to both domestic and global conditions. The highest level ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-07-05 14:00 - Reading : less than a minute
Lebanon produces 12 million bottles of wine each year — an impressive figure for a small country, with nearly half exported to around 30 countries worldwide. This vibrant industry generates over $20 million in annual revenue, according to the National Institute of Vine and Wine (INVV). Behind this success is steady, long-term growth: in 2000, ...