Objective: This project aims at promoting rural tourism as an economic sector, generator of innovative job opportunities for youth.
Place & Date: The conference is going to take place on Mar 28 at Hilton Hotel, from 9:00 - 1:30
9:00 Registration
9:30 Welcoming Words Jihad El Hokayem, President of Rethinking Lebanon
9:45 Opening Speech H.E. Avedis Guidanian, Minister of Tourism
10:00-11:15 Session 1
Innovation in Sustainable Tourism - Cezar Mahmoud, owner of Farmville, agro tourism project
The power of Lebanese youth diaspora in promoting rural tourism - Rita Houkayem , Former Miss Lebanon Emigrant & Miss Universe Canada top finalist.
Nature Lover - Rifaat Ghanem, member of Cedars Ground Campsite team,
Rural development, Finland case study - Patrizia Hongisto, Alto University, School of Business, Finland
Flavors of West Beqaa - Petra Chedid, coordinator of Food tourism trails
11:15-11:45: Break
11h45-13h15: Session 2
The Ministry of Tourism in action - Petra Obeid, head of Youth and Local Bodies department, Lebanese Ministry of Tourism
Protecting ecosystems through sustainable tourism - Hrair Kurdian, sustainable tourism coordinator
In Pursuit of happiness - Maher Harb, Owner of Sept, organic winery
When life hits you with apples, just bite them! - Philippe Germanos, Owner of Guita guesthouse and agricultural producer
Your future is now - Alaa Al Hachem, outdoor and caving activities expert
Repositioning Lebanon - Jihad El Hokayem, president and founder of Rethinking Lebanon
Field trips program:
(Registration on site)
Trip 1: 31 March 2019
AM: Mejdel Aqoura - Aqoura
- Breakfast at Guita guesthouse in Mejdel Aqoura
- Peaks hike and lakes scenery in Aqoura
PM: Douma - Nehla
- Lunch in Douma and stroll in the old souk
- Visit of the winery at Nehla
Trip 2: 07 April 2019
AM: Ain Zhalta - Werhanye
- Breakfast at the Cedars Ground Campsite, Ain Zhalta
- Panoramic view at the uphill of Ain zhalta - Bmohray cedar forest
- Hike in Ain Zhalta reserve
- Tasting of rural products at the entrance of the reserve
- Visit of Assaf sculpture workshop
PM: Barouk - Batloun
- Traditional lunch at Farmville agro tourism project in Barouk
- Matteh drinking at a traditional Lebanese house in Batloun with an old lady telling
stories about her village - she makes skill skarfs and tabbakh (kanoun)
Trip 3: 12 April 2019
AM: Anjar
- Visitor Center
- Biking through the agricultural fields with a stop at the water committee center to learn about the water management system
- Riparian forest + canoeing
PM: West Beqaa
- Cooking class at a table d'hôte
- Lunch
- Visit of an artisanal ice cream shop (بوظة دق)
For info and registration:
Visit: https://rethinkinglebanon.com/project/youth-rural-tourism/
Email: info@rethinkinglebanon.com
Call: 70 770 144