While 2011 may yet prove to be a good year for democratic ambitions in the Arab world, it was most certainly not a good one for tourism in Lebanon. Put bluntly, it was “the worst year in 20 years for the Lebanese tourism industry,” according to Paul Ariss, president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon. Following three years of consecutive growth, the number of foreign arrivals dropped by 24 percent in the first nine months of 2011, while across the board, room occupancy rates plummeted by 15 percent. Regional turmoil, especially in Syria, is regarded as the main factor affecting the figures but internal political bickering at the beginning of the year and the negative travel advice issued by many Western embassies also had an effect. That cold spring wind As the Arab uprisings lit up one regional capital after another, it gradually
