In the wake of the confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanon’s southern border, a key figure in Lebanon’s tourism industry has shed light on the significant repercussions these tensions have had on the sector. Tony al-Rami, who presides over the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs, and Pastries in Lebanon, voiced his concerns to the National News Agency, indicating the distress the current situation has inflicted across the entire tourism cycle in Lebanon.According to al-Rami, the ongoing conflict and subsequent international travel restrictions to Lebanon have led travel agencies to halt the offering of tourist packages, reflecting the heightened anxiety around visiting the region. Furthermore, the car rental sector is operating at a mere fraction of its capacity, with only 10 percent of the available vehicles being utilized, mainly by local and international NGOs.The hospitality industry, encompassing hotels, furnished apartments, and guest houses, is also facing severe challenges, with occupancy rates plummeting to between 10 and 15 percent. This downturn has consequently left many tour guides without employment, highlighting the widespread impact of the tensions on the livelihoods of those within the tourism industry.Al-Rami’s outlook for the tourism sector, particularly with the summer season on the horizon, remains grim if the conflict persists. The escalation of hostilities, which began on October 8, 2023, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks towards Israel in retaliation for an attack by Hamas, has prompted Israel to respond with artillery fire directed at southeastern Lebanon. This escalation not only heightens regional tensions but casts a prolonged shadow over Lebanon’s tourism industry, raising concerns about its recovery and future stability.