Lebanon’s tourism minister has vowed widespread reform of the sector in a bid to make tourists feel at ease as soon as they arrive.
Fadi Abboud told the country’s Daily Star newspaper that cab drivers and restaurants who do not charge official rates would face legal action.
Alleging that restaurants bring out and charge for unordered food and some taxis charge four times the agreed rate to transport passengers from the airport he added: “I feel that tourism is doing OK by an act of God rather than an act of men, really. This is going to change and whoever tries to cheat a tourist I will take it personally and I mean it.”
He is also speaking with the Minister of Justice about judges giving inadequate penalties to those who overcharge visitors.
He said the reforms will begin with basics such as requiring eateries and hotels to display their menus outside.
Abboud said the tourism sector contributes around 23 per cent of the country’s economy, with two million visitors expected to have spent approximately $7 billion by the end of 2009 and the sector providing more jobs than industry.
Lebanon saw a record number of Lebanese, Arab and European visitors during the summer of 2009 and Abboud said more must be done to promote the whole country, not just Beirut, such as possibly opening further casino branches.
He added that massive infrastructure investment to accommodate the visitors is planned, new hotels are being built and talks are underway with airlines and travel agents to formulate deals and packages.