Coll 54/2 'Middle East (Official) Committee: Working Party' [‎56r] (111/642)

Tourist Trade.
There is no doubt that the tourist trade could he
developed* Its develoxjment depends x^artly on circumstances
which are v/ithin the power of the Lehanese Government to
control, e.g. better organisation, improvement of accommodation
and amenities, better publicity, special tourist rates etc.,
and partly on circumstances outside their control, for example
exchange difficulties and high prices. The Government have
already employed a Swiss expert to advise on"development*
Before the war a thriving tourist trade was built up but
this has declined for a variety of reasons; high cost of
living, exchange difficulties and improved communications
with Europe from the Middle East countries which provided the
bulk of pre-war tourists. Tourists were mainly summer
visitors but there are also considerable possibilities for
winter sports.
The number of summer visitors reached 18,800 in 1938, of
whom some 5,000 were Palestinians, 8,000 Egyptians, and 3,500 ~
Iraqi # 4 It has been estimated that the annual income
derived from tourism amounted to £L33,000,000. The number
of summer visitors in 1946 to 1947 is approximately 13,000
for each year.
It is widely believed that the 1938 figures could
be trebled.
20 . Commerce .
Though the Lebanon is principally agricultural its
prosperity is undoubtedly due in a largo measure to its commerce.
The development of the port of Beirut and of its communications
with the interior during the nineteenth and early part of the
twentieth century was a decisive factor and with the exception
of the of Haifa t ( developed during the mandatory period)
Beirut is the only port on the Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. coast capable of handling
trade in an efficient manner and on an adequate scale throughout
the year.
It should be noted that Syria is the most important
market for Beirut 1 s commercial activities. Transit trade
is not very great. Trade with Iraq is handicapped by
poor communications. Improved communications and a greater
economic unity in the Fertile Crescent area (particularly if the
established boycott of Israel and of the port*"of Haifa is
maintained) might greatly increase the Lebanese commercial
activities. There is no doubt that a great deal of business
is done in Beirut without the merchandise ever passing
through the Lebanon - Lebanese business houses have contacts
throughout the Middle East and in many other parts of the
world. Tho importance of Beirut as a financial centre has uiw
doubtedly increased.
Before the war the Lebanon’s principle-Supi-TLier was France,
In 1945-6-7 the first place was taken by the United States
of America. The United Kingdom has maintained its position
as the second most important supplier until 1948 when it took
the lead from the U.S.A. Imports are dominated by manufactured
articles and food, while raw materials are relatively
insignificant.
Before/