LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - December 20, 2025

Lebanon is expecting a notable rise in tourist arrivals over the upcoming year-end holiday season, driven by high flight occupancy rates and increased demand from expatriates and international visitors, according to industry officials. 

Travel agencies say flight occupancy rates to Lebanon are currently close to 90% and are expected to rise further as the holiday season approaches, driven by last-minute bookings, according to Jean Abboud, president of the Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies in Lebanon (ATTAL).

The trend could result in a 5% to 10% increase in visitor numbers compared with December 2024, L’Orient Today reported.

Passenger traffic at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport has already increased in early December. Official data show that the airport handled 153,583 passengers during the first ten days of the month, including 86,661 arrivals.

Daily arrivals rose from about 8,000 at the start of December to more than 10,000, and both arrivals and departures are expected to climb further as the year-end holiday period peaks.

The growing influx of travelers comes despite ongoing regional security concerns and uncertainties linked to tensions along the Lebanese border.

As holiday travel continues, officials and tourism businesses are preparing to accommodate a heightened volume of passengers and to capitalize on the potential economic benefits tied to the seasonal boost in tourism.