Security prerequisite to tourism, Salam warns

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s tourism industry will forever be stymied if the security situation remains unresolved, Prime Minister Tammam Salam said Wednesday.

“There is no tourism without security, which is a main interest and concern in this country,” Salam said at the launch of the Tourism Ministry’s “Rural Tourism Strategy in Lebanon."

“We are looking forward to more [security] achievements to boost tourism,” he added, noting, however, that Lebanon is still struggling with a political deadlock that is preventing the election of a president nine months after Michel Sleiman left office.

Salam hailed security forces for buttressing internal security at a time of regional turmoil, stressing that Lebanon is “an oasis of stability and security allowing [for] the implementation of tourism projects.”

“I applaud the close collaboration between security apparatuses aimed at deterring whoever attempts to target Lebanon,” Salam said.

Salam also applauded the new tourism strategy aimed at expanding tourism activities to the countryside and rural areas, which will promote development and the preservation of heritage.

Lebanon’s rural areas, which are a geographical manifestation of “innocence, simplicity and purity,” represent bona fide Lebanese heritage, the premier said, noting that city residents could learn a lot from the countryside.

Salam proceeded to laud Lebanon’s “unique” natural landscapes, in what resembled an ode to Lebanon’s “scenic” mountains, hills, valleys and rivers. “We do not give this natural landscape the rightful credit,” he said.

Salam concluded by dedicating the initiative to the “[father] of projects and development, the man of Lebanese dreams, [former Prime Minister] Rafik Hariri.” Salam’s dedication comes three days ahead of the 10th anniversary of Hariri’s 2005 assassination.

The launch of the Tourism Ministry’s rural tourism strategy was held at the Grand Serail. Besides Salam, Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon, Information Minister Ramzi Joreige, Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk and other political figures also attended the event.