After a tiresome year of dealing with the coronavirus, fighting endemic corruption, and being hit by the devastating Beirut Port explosion, Lebanese need time to find joy.
However, despite everything Lebanon has been through this year, thousands of people are reportedly coming back home for Christmas and New Year’s.
On Saturday, local media reported that within the previous 24 hours, over 7,000 travelers arrived in Lebanon.
The same source reported that an estimated 80,000 travelers are expected to visit Lebanon during the month of December.
Additionally, a source at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport confirmed to The961 that most recent flights to Lebanon have been fully booked! It’s a busy season at the airport.
Many Lebanese abroad are returning to spend the holidays with their families, to lighten up their lives as they struggle with multiple crises in Lebanon.
One example is Antoine Choucair, a student studying abroad who came home for the holidays and surprised his family with his return in this emotional video that went viral.
Lebanon couldn’t be more welcoming.
The arrival of foreigners to Lebanon could perhaps explain the slight rise of the Lebanese pound against the dollar this weekend.
Moreover, Lebanon is easing measures ahead of the holidays… although no dancing is allowed.