Lebanese Minister reveals plans for 2007 tourism agenda

Lebanese Tourism Minister Joseph Sarkis said Wednesday that he would work on plans to integrate his country's tourism sector in Year 2007, the ANB TV station reported on Thursday.

Sarkis said that the revival of tourism in Lebanon would be the best thing to happen for the people here, adding that the late Israeli aggression in summer of 2006 would not hinder the economic ambitions of the country.

Concerning the calls from the Arab Economic and Social Council for making 2007 the year of tourism in Lebanon, Sarkis stated that it was a clear supportive gesture by fellow Arab countries.

"Lebanon lost four billion U.S. dollars during the Israeli aggression," said the Lebanese official who said that the reforms program drafted by Prime Minister Fouad Seniora must be supported to allow the country regain its balance.

On Tuesday, Seniora announced an economic revival and reform program in which said his government would intend to present to a conference of donors at Paris later January, and the Lebanese government would convene Thursday to ratify the accord.

In the meantime, Sarkis also revealed that his ministry would prepare for three tourism conferences in an effort to revive this vital sector.

Source: Xinhua