Activating tourism in Lebanon: the power of S11
You're probably wondering what the S11 might be, thinking perhaps, that it’s a new missile. In fact, it’s the collective name and number of the 11 members of the federations of hospitality and tourism in Lebanon, and related industries and activities already in existence, namely:
- Syndicate of Hotel Owners
- Syndicate of Restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs and Pastry Owners - Syndicate of Furnished-apartment Owners
- Syndicate of Travel Agent Owners
- Syndicate of Seaside Resorts
- Syndicate of Seaside Tourist Establishments
- Syndicate of Arabic Sweets' Shop Owners
- Middle East Airlines
- Solidere
- Casino du Liban
- The Lebanese Franchise Association
If brought together, these organizations making up the S11 could give their teams tremendous power. By uniting, these voices could make the group an innovative and progressive one.
Can it be done? Certainly. How? Well, to start with, they could:
• Promote the S11 and increase its influence
• Be the link between the industry and government bodies
• Act promptly and create change in the sector to prove its efficiency
• Develop a more caring industry, concerned about the customers, the end users, the environment and humanity as a whole
• Be the communication network through which the S11 can interact in a constructive manner
We need you, federations and active tourism establishments, to be known as the ultimate reference when it comes to tourism authority, one able to play an active role in shaping policies that affect the industry at the local, national and global levels. For this to happen, it has to work both ways. Which means that the S11 has its own share of commitment and participation to fulfill. And, to create a happening, the team could adopt a major cause each year, thus projecting the image of a powerful, influential organization. I hope that this team, together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce, participates in specialized initiatives such as exhibitions, seminars, workshops and contests. There is ‘strength in numbers’ as the saying goes. The union of the S7 Syndicate and the Active Tourism establishments under one roof would also be a dream come true for all members of the hospitality family in Lebanon.
Nouhad Dammous Editor-in-chief Docteur Honoris Causa