Burning Desire For Cigars

Consider this. The cigar shop at Beirut International Airport sells the largest volume (100,000 boxes per year) at arguably the best value anywhere in the world, while its VIP cigar lounge has won a Frontier Award (the “Oscar” of the global duty free industry) in the Special Concept of the Year category. Lebanon imports some 5 million cigars a year (roughly equivalent to 5% of Cuba’s annual export production) while the market is registering healthy annual growth of around 10%. This puts Lebanon firmly in the world’s top 10 cigar consuming nations alongside Germany, France and Spain. It is not surprising therefore, that Phoenicia Trading, the company that imports Cuban cigars into Lebanon, is keen to nurture this national obsession.  This culture has not come easily. Robust marketing has been key in increasing awareness and developing tastes. “Our marketing strategy is mainly focused in the on trade market,” said Walid