Lebanon

UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon inaugurates commercial and touristic kiosks in Baalbeck

On October 28, 2009, the UNDP ART GOLD Programme (UNDP AGL), in collaboration with the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), hosted the inauguration of the commercial and touristic Kiosks in Baalbeck City.
The inauguration took place in front of Baalbeck Citadel, in the presence of H.E. Ambassador of Belgium in Lebanon Mr. Johan Verkammen, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Nick Hartmann. The Mayor of Baalbeck, Mr. Bassam Raad, also participated in the proceedings alongside UNDP AGL team and residents of Baalbeck.

The construction of the kiosks in the city of Baalbeck falls within the 2009-2010 strategic objectives of UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon; in particular, the objective to increase income generation and create job opportunities in the tourism sector.

The project will help ameliorate and rearrange the commercial activities surrounding Baalbeck’s touristic areas, mainly the Roman ruins and the Ras El Ein River areas. Furthermore, it will enhance the socio-economic conditions of the target beneficiaries through the creation of job opportunities and increase income generation. In addition, it will provide an additional source of income to the municipality of Baalbeck.

In a speech that followed the folk-dance show and the Lebanese national anthem, H.E. Mr. Verkamenn stressed that the kiosks project is not the first and will not be the last project in which Belgium contributes to the local development process in Baalbeck. He highlighted the project’s importance in contributing to the creation of new job opportunities and in increasing the income of the beneficiaries in the tourism sector.
Mr. Verkammen said the kiosks are an essential component of the tourism infrastructure, and will help improve the touristic experience and enhance the economic activity in the area, particularly through the marketing of Lebanese produce and handicrafts.
Mr. Verkammen concluded his speech by thanking UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon and the Council for Development and Reconstruction for their fruitful cooperation with the Belgian Embassy to achieve this successful project.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Nick Hartmann then highlighted the project’s outcomes in increasing income generation and attracting tourists. Mr. Hartmann assured that the ultimate objective is that the project's sustainability is dependent on the municipality and the local community.
Mr. Hartmann noted that the project’s importance lies from the fact that the local working groups, set by ART GOLD Lebanon in the city of Baalbeck, identified essential and effective projects to promote tourism in the area. They also identified that the construction of the kiosks would contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the beneficiaries and help in income generation.
Mr. Hartmann added that these kiosks form one initiative to support the tourism sector, and hoped to translate further initiatives into future projects that will help promote tourism in Baalbeck and improve the residents’ socio-economic conditions.

The Mayor of Baalbeck Mr. Bassam Raad expressed his gratitude to the UNDP and the Belgian Government for all their development projects targeting the city of Baalbeck, and in particular, the kiosks project that form the beginning of an organized and decent touristic activity in Baalbeck.
Mr. Raad said that the kiosks’ construction would help ameliorate and rearrange the touristic scene, and the commercial activities surrounding Baalbeck’s touristic areas, mainly the Roman ruins and the Ras El Ein River areas. He added that the constructed kiosks would replace the existing food and souvenirs booths and vans, in addition to two kiosks serving as tourist information booths. Mr. Raad said that the project will create job opportunities for the local community, increase the income of 63 direct beneficiaries within the tourism sector, and provide the municipality of Baalbeck with an additional source of income.
Mr. Raad concluded by assuring that, regardless of the donors’ contributions to help Baalbeck achieve local development, the top priority in the development process remains in the citizens will to succeed and develop.

The attendants concluded the inauguration with a tour of the constructed kiosks in Ras el Ein area and the surroundings of Baalbeck citadel.