Lonely Planet: Travellers returning to Middle East

Travellers are showing increasing interest in destinations in the Middle East and are beginning to become more confident that countries in the region are safe to visit, according to Lonely Planet.

Tom Hall, the company's travel editor, revealed that Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Israel are among the nations that are beginning to come back onto holidaymakers' radars following the security concerns of recent years.

According to a STR Global report covering the region in 2009, Beirut in Lebanon reported a 27.5 per cent increase in hotel occupancy figures last year, while Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Istanbul in Turkey also attracted more visitors.

Mr Hall suggested that these figures are part of a wider trend that is emerging in the Middle East.

"Middle Eastern countries do have a strong pull for European travellers because they do offer an adventure, genuine hospitality and incredible history," he said.

"As far as the perception of safety or otherwise, maybe they've been off people's list for the past few years and people are starting to feel that maybe it's a good time to return to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Israel."

Posted by Andrew, 24 February 2010 13:22

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