Lebanon receives 1.7 million tourists in nine month to Sep-2010

Lebanon's Ministry of Economy and Trade reported 1.7 million tourists in the nine months to Sep-2010, a 17.8% year-on-year increase (Bloomberg, 02-Dec-2010). Beirut International Airport handled 4.2 million passengers in the period, around a 12% year-on-year increase. Tourism Minister Fady Abboud stated foreign visitors to Lebanon are expected to exceed 2 million in 2010. up from 1.85 million in 2009. Tourism revenues are expected to increase from USD7.2 billion to USD8.5 billion.