Abboud: Batroun is one of the most beautiful cities of the Mediterranean and I will work my best to assist in developing it’s tourism. Basil: We can not say, but thanks to the current mayor headed by President Marcelino Al Hark. Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud spent the weekend as a tourist in Batroun and it’s surrounds at the invitation of the Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil. Abboud visited tourist attractions, religious sites and the historic district of Batroun before opening an office of the Ministry of Tourism in the city. With Minister Bassil as his guide, Abboud visited many important sites including the castle of Smar Jbeil, the shrines of St Naametallah Al Hardini and St Rafqa as as other monesteries and religious shrines. Abboud spoke about preparations for the beatification of Brother Stfen Nehme on June 27 which will be the next huge event in the area and reflect the significance of religious tourism, especially in the Batroun region where there are four saints within a radius of 5 square kilometers.” He expected “the participation of between 50 thousand and 100 thousand visitors” in the beatification ceremony, which will be held at the Kfifan monastery. After touring the historic sites of Batroun town, a ceremony was held in which Minister Abboud officially opened an office of the Ministry of tourism in the northern seaside town. Speaking at the event, Batroun Mayor Marcellino Al Hark thanked Minister Abboud for his visit and the establishment of the Office of the Ministry of Tourism in the city of Batroun, saying: “We are working with Minister Basil for the rehabilitation of this area “ He emphasized that “Batroun will remain on track thanks to the assistance of Minister Bassil and his efforts and we will stick by him through thick and thin.” Speaking in turn, Abbout thanked Gibran Bassil for inviting him to Batroun and allowing him to witness first hand the beauty and potential of the region, adding that he sees Batroun as one of the most beautiful cities of the Mediterranean. Abboud committed to efforts by the tourism ministry to assist in developing Batroun’s tourism, particularly religious tourism, emphasising the importance of tourism to Lebanon’s economy where it contributed 25% of the country’s GDP in 2009. The final speech was made by Minister Gibran Bassil who thanked Abboud for touring and said: “The region deserves a lot and God willing we can achieve what we have spoken about in the booklet that we issued in 2009. Faith and patience, support and conviction and clear vision can do much. We all love Batroun and we all have to give because giving leads to the collective success of the city”. Bassil went on to say: “ we have to say thank you to those who work and for the record, we can not say but thank you to the current municipality under the chairmanship of Marcellino Al Hark who worked tirelessly for Batroun”. He concluded: “We do not say that no one from outside has the right to intervene in Batroun, on the contrary, we welcome anyone who wants to intervene as long as their interference does not go against the will of the people of Batroun” which will be reflected in the ballot boxes on May 30th.
