Jbeil elected 2016 Arab Tourism Capital

Title to boost tourism activity by 30 percent

The city of Jbeil was elected by Arab tourism ministers of the Arab Council of Tourism as the 2016 Arab Tourism Capital.

According to Wissam Zaarour, member of the municipal council of the city, Jbeil competed with seven Arab cities including Abha in KSA, and Al Sharjah in the UAE.

“The election was based on a portfolio of achievements that the municipality presented to the Arab Council of Tourism,” said Zaarour.

The Council assessed these achievements, the restaurant and hotel platform offered by the city, as well as its touristic infrastructure, he said.

Last year, Jbeil won the Pomme d’Or award. According to Zaarour the several titles that crown Jbeil will help to boost its tourism activity.

“We are expecting a 30 percent increase in the number of tourists,” he said. They aim to host five-star international hotel chains that are up to the standards of the city, according to Zaarour.

Jbeil is considered to be the second oldest inhabited city in the world, after the Palestinian city of Jericho and has been continuously inhabited since 5000 BC.