The Ministry reported a "hysteria in hotel and flight bookings" by Lebanese , Arab and European nationals

The expected summer economic boom was reflected at the Beirut stock exchange. The shares surged on Wednesday and Thursday . The volume of trading was very high too... Over $58 million in share values changed hands on Thursday only. The market was also fueled by the announcement of 3 investment projects exceeding one billion and 650 million dollars.

The Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Nada Al-Sardouk said " thousands of communications were received by the Ministry of Tourism from Lebanese expatriates as soon as the Doha agreement was announced, expressing their joy and satisfaction. Most of the callers she said " were giving up on Lebanon and were planning to spend their vacations elsewhere "

The Syndicate of Owners of tourism agencies and travel in Lebanon Jean Abboud said that bookings rose sharply since the announcement of the Doha agreement . He said the flights to Beirut are now completely full until end of July , but the Lebanese and Arab Airlines agreed to increase the frequency of the flights to and from Beirut

Ms. Nora Jumblatt Chairperson of the Beiteddine ( Pictured right is Beiteddine Palace) Festivals Committee plans to announce the program of international festivals for this summer according to Ms. Sardouk

Ms Sardouk said the ministry is preparing a calendar of international festivals in Byblos , Baalbeck , Tyre, Tripoli, Zahle and other areas

Ms Sardouk also said that many officials from the Arab countries that issued travel advisories against travel to Lebanon have been calling their counterparts in th summer resort town of Aley , Bhamdoun, Sofar, Brummana and Barouk and many other resort areas to assure them that many of their nationals are planning to come and spend their summer holidays in Lebanon

According to Ms Sardouk , 2008 could turn out to be like 2004 when a record number of tourists visited Lebanon

As many as 15 million people of Lebanese origin live outside Lebanon. Brazil alone accounts for 8 million Lebanese Brazilians , which is twice the number of Lebanese that live in Lebanon

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