One of the problems facing businesses in Ehden is that the summer season is only some three months so what to do for the remaining nine . Although people still visit Ehden throughout the year, it is not on the same scale as in summer.

To address such a state of affairs the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council is holding a meeting on Wednesday 6 pm at the Muscade Restaurant, Ehden, to hear from local businesses their ideas.

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We are aware that for many people,who have not visited Zgharta and Ehden,that it is sometimes difficult for them to understand where certain places are. It amazes them that the postman knows where letters are to be delivered too without formal street names.

So in an attempt to help our overseas friends we have posted on our Tourism [Map] page,the street map of Zgharta with places of interest marked. The map for Ehden will follow shortly.

We will seek to post more comprehensive maps in the future. Any cartographers out there!
 

As a result of collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, the Social & Cultural Development Association and the Standford Research Institute International a new series of Lebanese tourist brochures were published on Wednesday.
The new series consists of four brochures published under the banner “Promenade” and cover the North, Bekaa, Mount Lebanon and South regions of Lebanon. They are in Arabic and English and each brochure is sub divided into sections for particular districts. The brochure for the North has sections for Akkar, Al Batroun, Bcharre, Al Koura, Minieh-Dinieh. Tripoli and Zgharta.
Each section contains comprehensive tourist information as to the villages, historical background, maps of natural and cultural attractions, accommodation, restaurants, recreation and shopping. Many of the towns and villages of Zgharta Zawie are mentioned showing how to get to them and their details.
In addition maps of archaeological sites and a new tour programme called “Discover Lebanon” were launched.
The idea behind the brochures is to encourage visitors to Lebanon to explore the regions and not just Beirut and the major touristic sites. It is estimated that 90 per cent of visitors spend their money and time in Beirut and such sites.
Those who have published the brochures are to be commended and thanked.
To download the Zgharta Zawie section of the "Promenade" series of tourist brochures, click the PDF link [ 1274 KB]

Tourism figures for Lebanon this year show that in the first seven months of 2004 there were 731,733 tourists compared with 527,064 for the same period. Of the tourists this year 41% came from Arab countries and 27% from Europe.

In July 225,366 tourists arrived of which 114,567 came from Arab countries and 54,050 from Europe. The World Tourism Organisation predicts that in 2015 the Middle East will be the fifth most popular tourist destination.

This raises the question whether Ehden is receiving a share of these increase visitors. On a recent Tele Liban programme, which featured Ehden, there was an interview with a Gulf man who had come to Ehden with his wife and child. He said he had been to Lebanon twice on holiday and that his visit to Ehden was his first.

Clearly Ehden will always attract those who have a family connection with it. The question is whether it can attract a broader range of visitor.

Tourist figures are up for the first six months of the year compared with this time last year in Lebanon.

The tourist industry is expecting another record year in the number of tourists coming to Lebanon. It is expected that more than 1 million tourists will visit this year. The high point of the summer season is considered mid July to end August.

Many of the landmark restaurants in Ehden’s Al Midan have new appearances this summer. It seems that there has been a resurgence of confidence amongst many of the square’s restaurateurs.

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The Ehden Municipality have erected at various locations touristic sign posts welcoming visitors.

The sign posts says in Arabic “ehden beautiful for ever” - Ehden Jamila ila al abad.

One of the sign posts is pictured here.

The Ministry of Tourism officially launched on Tuesday its new web site for tourism -www.destinationlebanon.com

The site features some 300 diverse locations and activities, highlighting, rural and "off the beaten track" locations.

It is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), through grants provided to SRI International - a US-based non-profit organization participating in the American government's 2003-2005 year plan for "Expanding Economic Opportunities in Lebanon."