Lebanon’s tourism sector is coming under mounting strain as a war that industry figures describe as “senseless” compounds rising global costs, pushing up prices and shortening visitor stays, sector representatives said.

Jean Beiruti, Secretary-General of Tourism Unions' Federations, told LBCI that businesses have been forced to revise their cost structures in response to higher prices for goods and energy worldwide, resulting in a noticeable increase in menu prices.

Air travel has also been affected, with ticket prices initially rising, he said, though the entry of new airlines has helped introduce competition and partially ease fares.

Beiruti warned that energy costs remain the most pressing challenge facing tourism establishments, emphasizing that “the cost of shutting down is higher than the cost of reopening,” a factor that continues to weigh heavily on operators already struggling to stay afloat.

Hotel operators are facing similar pressures. Pierre Achkar, head of the hoteliers' syndicate, said the current conflict has had an unprecedented impact on the sector.

“We’ve gone through many crises, wars and security developments, but our sector has never experienced anything like this,” Achkar told LBCI.

He said that in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, hotel guests have been cutting their stays short, often relocating to furnished apartments, a shift that has reduced occupancy durations and revenues for hotels.

“We can no longer bear these burdens,” Achkar said, adding that the sector’s recovery hinges on restoring stability comparable to that in neighboring countries.

“Compensating for the losses remains tied to the availability of lasting stability,” he said.