Abboud said that Arab tourists represent a pillar for the tourism industry as they now constitute 50 percent of total visitors.

Abboud said that the number of European tourists is on the rise as they represented 21 percent of total number of tourists in 2009.

Abboud said that the Ministry has adopted a new plan to promote tourism in all seasons and throughout the year. 

The minister said that the sector employs 135,000 workers.