Estimating the impact of the effective valorization of cultural and natural resources for the economic development of Beirut

Abstract   The main topic of this project is to assess the current situation of tourism in Lebanon and to identify and interpret the actual case of how tourism industry can benefit from economic development projects in Lebanon. The main problem that Lebanon is incapable to properly use natural and cultural assets inspite of very rich potentials. In order to analyze the situation, we conducted a study through conducting a survey as data collection methods. We basically want to develop on a theory that was previously discussed and that will need further examination. Aim and objectives This paper aims to review how Lebanon plans to review its resource management for improving tourism. our objectives are to study Beirut’s rich ancient history in a wat to demonstrate that. The study conducted in Tyre, also showing similar goals, was used a reference study. The main objective of this study is to find out how tourism is viewed in Beirut and if the citizens actually are in favor of valorizing u resources or not. Therefore, the research also want to assess if it succeeded or failed overall. Today, any coastal Lebanese City, including Tyre or Beirut faces a problem in properly managing it natural or cultural resources. Therefore, cities like Tyre Saida, Jbeil and Beirut, have not utilized their resources optimally (irrespective if natural or cultural), have had records of possessing incorrect and deeply rooted values and setbacks in human capital. Past Studies The literature has been formal. Aside from 2 MBA projects on economic development and tourism movement correlations were demonstrated with these two variables. One project, focusing on Tyre, whereas the second concentrating on Beirut we were able to come up with tangible examples on how resource management in Lebanon was practiced (or its absence). Methodology The selected data collection and research design points out to a mixed qualitative and quantitative research methodology, utilizing surveying as the main means of gathering information. This explains the 15 unstructured interviews and the 32 questionnaires we collected during our fat finding phase. In order to examine the current situation, in the way that the central authorities in Beirut view the valuation of our heritage as a way to improve tourism (and ultimately to improve our GDP), our study demonstrates through our findings collected both unstructured from interviews and structured surveys that a much larger population wants us to preserve our heritage as a means of improving economic development. As such, the study utilized mixed qualitative and quantitative research methods through distributing structured questionnaires and unstructured interviews. Provided our selected data collection methods, our results provided a better understanding of how tourism can be sustainable in Beirut, and how it can be beneficial to our GDP in the long run. Conclusions Results showed that sustainable tourism development in Lebanon is highly dependent on the presence of all necessary resources. This can be related to the tourist profile types the city wishes to attract. However, Lebanon lacks proper administrative management and organization of its scarce resources. All results emphasized on the importance of human capital in the development of any tourist destination. These findings certainly will hold true in any other city in the region. And, to date, Lebanon has a deficient central administration unable to properly use our scarce resources (energy, fuel, water, etc.). Consequently, we as Lebanese must benefit from our rich human capital on the long-term, complete sustainable economic growth through and improving the tourism industry (in Beirut or elsewhere). Because Beirut city lacked the vision once it accepted the destruction of BEY 194, we lost a unique chance to valorize a unique heritage, giving us a chance to attract tourists, following the real estate developers’ and SOLIDERE’s barbaric acts.