Lebonon’s tourist numbers dropped by 10 per cent in the first eight months of the year, compared to the same period last year, said a report.

European tourists accounted for 35 per cent of total visitors, followed by Arabs at 30.6 per cent, said The Daily Star report.
 
The number of Arab tourists declined by 18.8 per cent year-on-year as a result of travel warnings issued by several GCC countries, it said.

Officials in the tourism industry warned last month that several businesses would face bankruptcy by the end of September if the steep decline in the sector continued, said the report.

According to the Tourism Association, tourism’s contribution to the country’s GDP  is expected to drop to less than $4 billion this year if security conditions continue to decline, it said.