Road Safety and Activism

finkployd engages in some laudable citizen activism against the traffic and road safety violators in Lebanon:

 

Road safety is, sadly, an all too real life and death matter in Lebanon, via Tajaddod-Youth:

The 7th of September 2010 was a black day on Lebanese roads. Eight people were killed, more than 20 injurred. It is more than time to put an end to this massacre, which has claimed more lives than all bombings and terror attacks since 2005.

Sporadic announcements from public authorities, whose translation into acts only lasts for a couple of weeks before being ignored, are no longer enough. It is only through a demonstrated, sustainable and consistent commitment to law enforcement by the Ministry of the Interior, the Internal Security Forces and all authorities responsible for road maintenance, that the number of casualties on our roads would be decreased.

The time is not for press conferences. The time is for action!

London Taxi in Lebanon

London taxis are driven in a convoy in Tabarja, north of Beirut April 9, 2010. Lebanon-based company National New Dawn, the sole agent of the London Taxi, brought in a fleet of the TX4 taxis to Beirut earlier this month, with 50 vehicles expected to be operating by the end of summer. The London Taxi brand is also available for franchising, but only to those who will purchase 10 or more of the taxis. (Reuters Pictures via Daylife)

Lebanon to get New Airlines

Gulf News reports on the possibility of the launch of a new - as of yet unnamed - airline from Lebanon:

Georges Mousa, a Dubai-based Lebanese businessman [whose company operates a travel agency and provides various travel services], will launch a full-service airline from his country in the next 18 months, subject to necessary approvals.
...
The Lebanese Government is expected to open its sky to competition in 2012. Until then its flag carrier Middle East Airline (MEA) will continue to enjoy a monopoly, Fadi Aboud, Minister of Tourism, told Gulf News.

Mousa's attempt will be the second airline venture in Lebanon by Gulf-based investors.

Related: Lebanon 2010 Tourism Forecasts

Lebanon 2010 Tourism Forecasts

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines airplanes are seen parked on the tarmac of Beirut international airport April 28, 2010. Pilots from Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) will begin a 24-hour strike from Thursday in an effort to claw back benefits they lost when the flag carrier was restructured in 2001, the Lebanese Pilots Association said. (Reuters via Daylife)

Maktoob business magazine reports:

Travel and tourism in Lebanon will directly contribute $4.4 billion to the country's economy in 2010, representing 13.3% of GDP ...
...
The [World Travel & Tourism] Council forecasts tourism will general $12.4 billion or 37.6% of overall economic activity in Lebanon in 2010.

Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud had requested an increase of $5 million to the ministry's budget that would be earmarked to promote Lebanon abroad, the report added.

He expected tourism activity to grow between 10-20% this year.

Citing data by the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Al-Markaziya (via Maktoob) reported a 37% year-on-year jump in tourist arrivals for the month of January 2010 (from 77,300 to 106,000):

Tourist arrivals from Arab countries surged 47% to 49,300 from 33,500, according to the ministry's data, the paper reports.

Jordanians topped Arab tourist arrivals and they accounted for 36% of the overall number of Arab tourists visiting Lebanon and the French were the largest European tourist group [representing] 26% of the total number of European tourists, it adds.