Estimating the impact of valorizing Lebanon's cultural and natural resources (economically speaking) in order to enhance its Tourism Potential: Discussing all impediments hampering our economic development, while targetting Tourism Education

 Estimating the impact of valorizing Lebanon's cultural and natural resources (economically speaking) in order to enhance its Tourism Potential: Discussing all impediments hampering our economic development, while targetting Tourism Education

Mr. Georges Sebastian Gerard Bellos 

Masters Degree Holder in Archeology 

MBA Graduate Student, Lebanese International University 

Saloumi Road, Lebanon

Review:

To begin with, researches reviewed a coordinated association of traditional and online areas of a class on standards of macroeconomics. The learners self-select the direction of their curricula, arrayed in classes, in which each one has around 30 learners, and there was no distinction in the statistic creation of each segment. They utilized a straightforward correlation of methods for test scores and revealed no critical contrast in scholarly execution between the investigated organizations, signalling a weak relationship as a result (see: https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Distance-Education-Teacher-Training.pdf). However, the OECD also has discussed issues pertainuing to assessments (see: https://www.oecd.org/site/educeri21st/40600533.pdf).

In 2003, a srudy overviewed 240 learners in a program offering courses in those organizations: on the web, in classroom, and hybrid (see: https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Distance-Education-Teacher-Training.pdf). Utilizing a standard relapse show where end of the year test score is the dependent variable and learner qualities are the autonomous factors, they reported that anticipated exam scores for learnersin the online courses were altogether not exactly those of learners in the traditional classes and in the half and half arrangements, such as classroom assessments (see: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/student-assessment-putting-the-learner-at-the-centre_5k49dvlqk233.pdf). With the examination of exam scores between hybrid learners, and those taking fully on- campus classes, there was no critical distinction. The following year, researchers inferred that there is no proof for a connection between expanded instructive in utilization of ICT and learners’ accomplishments (see: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/edri/2018/1240197/). Consequently, it was discovered that a reliably negative and hardly significant connection exists between ICT use and some learner accomplishment measures (see: https://www02.core.ac.uk/download/pdf/4151887.pdf).

In the same year, A study discussing three coordinated sets of vis-à-vis and online standards of financial aspects of courses instructed at three distinct organizations was proposed (see: https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Distance-Education-Teacher-Training.pdf). The learners’ score in the Test of Understanding of College Level Economics (TUCE) given towards the end of the term is utilized as the measure of learning results (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4721618_The_Test_of_Understanding_of_College_Economics). So; the one-sidedness selection and learners’ affections and properties  report that the normal TUCE scores are right around 15% higher for the vis-à-vis arrange than for the online configuration (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4721618_The_Test_of_Understanding_of_College_Economics).

ICT integration should be based on theories of development and educational enhancement related to a technological approach, taking into consideration a large diversity of factors in politics, culture and economics, as the OECD points out (see: https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/GEIS2016-Background-document.pdf). The problem is that approaches towards development focus on the technical dimension of “E-learning” experience, ignoring in the process the social dimension (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01587910303044). Researchers still argue about whether education should be instrumental or technical. In other words, the demands of the job market are sometimes ignored, which makes IT education dispensable and somehow ineffective (see: https://telearn.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00190213/document).

1. Introduction

As fiscal and monetary policies play a pivotal role in driving the evolution of economic and financial opportunities discourse and practices in the developed and the developing countries. The ultimate purpose of this study is to examine and explore the “Effects of the consecutive crises In Lebanon on the effectiveness of financial markets and money laundering: Discussing the impediments to the transfer from a rentier (services) economy to a Productive one” (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). As such, this study has attested that Lebanon’s inefficient services economy revolves around four crucial sectors: the Domestic sector, The Private sector, the Public sector and the foreign sector (see: www.lcps-lebanon.org). As we chose to discuss the case on improving the economy through valorizing the natural and cultural resources in Lebanon; we addressed the following research question: How can we valorize resources economically speaking in order to enhance economic Growth?

1.1. Business Cycle

1.1.1. Growth, Boom, or Development

Previous researches pertaining to the economics business cycle concept hint out that there are economic booms (peaks), recessions, depressions (troughs), and recoveries occurring in every country in the world. Lebanon is now in a phase of negative growth, and this is not part of the negative growth context that many countries in the world suffer from, with the covid-19 pandemic effects (see: https://www.bis.org/ifc/events/ifc_8thconf/ifc_8thconf_4b1pap.pdf). Rather, the Lebanese negative growth is related to the economic and financial collapse in the country, solely related to a dysfuctional state and its corrupt oligarchs. Experts claim that Economic Recessions are less  than 2 years and Depression are over 2 years, so, de facto, in Lebanon, we are in a depression since 1992 (see: https://www.bis.org/ifc/events/ifc_8thconf/ifc_8thconf_4b1pap.pdf).

1.1.2. Economic downturns, Depressions, or crunches 

They are represented by Troughs in the business cycle. It is the Current situation in Lebanon Let’ s face it (since it has been more than 2 years that we are at it, as sole experts beleive it was thus since 1992). Inflationary Gaps (I.Gs.) are what we see in china when contractionary policies are exerted to slow down a country's fastly growing economy. The amis of these policies not only slow econmocies down, but also increase inflations. IGs entail:  Surplus in production, High employment rate, and Shortage in labour. While, Recessionary Gaps (R.Gs.) are the reverse case and are when economies are alreqady weak. RGs involve (like what we see in Lebanon since 1992). Soaring Inflation rates, High National Debt, Dwindling economy and GDP, High unemployment rate, Production shortage and Labour Surplus, are the indicators for Lebanon's socio economic problems and are what we see now, amid the Covid 19 Pandemic (see: https://www.bis.org/ifc/events/ifc_8thconf/ifc_8thconf_4b1pap.pdf). Thus, the feeling of discontent arose when the economy took a turn for the worse, politicians, bank governors and party leaders took advantage of the dysfunctional system to blindly steal the country's assets for their quick gain, and keep inventing. unjustified taxes, to raise prices and to adapt the current bad economic and political system, since the current policies “which are contractual” drag us more into the recession than we get out of it, as shown in Figure 1 (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

 

Figure 2: Recessionary Gap case (Lebanon). Notice the ememets on the curve.

1.2. Presenting the variables

Although there were no significant relationships between the following independent variables: FDI, inflation and the trade balance in the economy of Lebanon. Nonetheless, an effective expansionary fiscal and monetary policy is an absolute necessity to help improve the Lebanese trade ecosystem by providing good opportunities for investors to revive and grow their investments (see: http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/document/MNA/Mashreq/LEM_Spring_2014.pdf). This should be done by adopting encouraging fiscal and monetary policies which result in a reduction in taxes (unlike the stupidity of the telecoms ministers 2 days before the anti corruption revolution of October 17, 2019, on hold due to covid 19) on income and profits and which offer more flexible facilities to foreign investors thanks to the budgetary or monetary policy adopted, which since 1993, where both the MOF and the BDL have focused on contractionary policies (see: http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/document/MNA/Mashreq/LEM_Spring_2014.pdf).

Basically, the following indicators "High inflation, High unemployment, Corruption, Terrorism, Low GDP Growth, High foreign debt, and Demonstrations, as well as high Loans and interest rates typically affect economies in countries suffering like Lebanon and other third world countries, also plagued by corruption (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/). So, our research denoted that "High inflation, corruption, and high foreign debt" are mostly affecting our economy now. Although the expert we interviewed included demonstrations in the picture, there effects and not causes of the problems at hand. If we see Table 1, the TOWS Matrix analysis of the Lebanese Government is what is needed (see: https://scholarworks.aub.edu.lb/handle/10938/21673) for understanding this situation. Thus, this analysis is in terms of the concensus spaces needed for adopting the Triple Helix Model in Lebanon (see: https://scholarworks.aub.edu.lb/handle/10938/21673)

Table 1: The proposed SWOTs Analysis of the Lebanese Government

 

1.3 Brief Overview

How nations (like Lebanon) should estimate GDP? Firstly, Illegal actions, subsidies and used goods don’t count for GDP estimation. So, in terms of corruption, illegal, illicit, unetical qctions and so on, let's quit the mafia business transactions and other underdog operationq and consider all activities to strengthen the economy instead ol weakening it. One way to do that is through moving from a service economy to a productive economy. Research saw it is actually possible. "Of course its possible technically. Because its a matter of political and macro-economic decision before it is a technical issue. But before shifting from the services depended economy to an economy based on productivity, Lebanon should start maintaining its plan with  preparing the productive sectors infrastructure. Laws, doing business and other models, financial and monetary facilities, and so on" said our interviewee (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/).

Secondly, defining Economic Efficiency, what it is and how can we attain it in Lebanon is a point that several researchers currently discussis is the next step  (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). Economic efficiency in both micro and macroeconomics is about applying the best economic operation with minimum production costs for the products and services. In other words, and as said by the interviewee, "Its a term used in the academic economic community to describe the situation where the state/organization/ company... makes the best economic operation with minimum cost for the production of goods or services, in parallel with maximum output".  As for attaining this concept in Lebanon, its possible at state level only after starting planning for the macroeconomic vision which awaits the MOF and the BDL to change from contractionary policies to expansionary, whose aims are by nature to avoid recessions, and ultimately popular rebellions, as the 2019 Anti corruption popular revolt, resulting from 30 years of state mismanagement and elitist corruption (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

2. Brief Literature review

2.1 Theoretical framework 

Everyone who is into education in Lebanon is very conscious that the Lebanese curriculum is outdated and need to be amended from the roots, for a simple main reason that contents and strategies didn’t witness any changes, and old philosophies still adopted in many schools to an extent that it is not weird anymore that students grasp knowledge from media means more than learning from scholar programs (see: https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/834/Lebanon-SUMMARY.html). Nowadays, the youth are looking for new challenges and opportunities and having ability to adapt with other cultures, as this system is said to be outdated and rapidly deteriorating (see: https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/the-deteriorated-educational-reality-in-lebanon-towards-another-critical-approach/). They seek to be more creative and express different emotions that exceed the expectations and influence the society. In the first reading of the reality of the Lebanese curriculum, in secondary stages, a lack of awareness toward the tourism education has been noticed, in terms of political economy (see: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED604398.pdf). And according to my experience, as a student unprepared for further subjects academically, it was an ambiguous path to discover and gain its professional and practical skills which are required by the tourism industry; yet some claim thjat universities are doing their jobs (see: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/choosing-university/7-ways-university-helping-students-find-their-purpose). However, in terms of preparing the students for future jobs, according to this research the academia is failing to do so, in taking the Helix model into account (see: https://scholarworks.aub.edu.lb/handle/10938/21673).

Besides, the tourism sector has pretty much developed recently, especially that it moved from being simply an activity to a science; where it became a vital need. universities provides specialized courses in tourism majoring in hotel management, travel and tourism, and touristic guides (see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2077188616000044). Yet, this study on tourism science can be proven useful in our research as well, yet it only provides theoretical insights, which in a virtually unexplored part of the industry, we might as well just investigate this further (see: https://journals.openedition.org/teoros/1621). Knowing that this domain is taught as practical courses in the curriculum of private and public vocational schools. As mentioned before, that tourism is not only an art but it is also a science, so this question arises: Why it is not taught as the rest of science materials in secondary level of the curriculum? And: Why secondary period/level? Because these programs are assigned for students between 15 and 18 years old, the period that shapes the growing up phase and grasping knowledge. At this level, students’ emotional learning tendencies become more obvious to continue their higher education and choose the appropriate career; as the OECD discusses as it mentions that learning is well structured than on student-oriented activities which give them more autonomy, while both of these teaching practices are emphasized more than (see: https://www.oecd.org/berlin/43541655.pdf). 

However, teaqcher education is raised here (see: https://archive.mu.ac.in/myweb_test/ma%20edu/Teacher%20Education%20-%20IV.pdf). Seeking for change, an educational course highlighting tourism sector is essential to inform students of this period about its importance and offers to them more job chances and choices in the future. Through an examination of the methodology of secondary teaching, we pointed out to the existence of chapters in different courses, which contain general information and overviews about tourism in Lebanon, as the OECD denotes (see: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/tourism-2020_5kml6h4cdsjb.pdf). Thus, is given information about tourism in these unspecialized courses, sufficient to give that science its right? Or insertion of a specialized course “Touristic education” into the curriculum, is a better way to orient students of secondary period and  enriching them by the culture of tourism? And to what extent does the touristic education course responds to the youth’s needs? Let's discuss the iimportance of valorising our resources, and pertaining to our subject discuss the importance of intergrating tourism Eduction in our Curricula, before discussing issues pertaining to reforming the Lebabese Educqational program from a more traditional one, to a more progressivist one (see: https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/827/Lebanon-EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html).

2.2. Tyre and its Inventory of Resources

Historically, Tyre, romanized as Sour, was an important Phoenician kingdom. It controlled maritime trade, and caused the spreading religion in the ancient world, throughout its history in the Iron Age (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). The city originally consisted one of two distinct urban centers, Tyre itself, which was on an island just off shore (Surru), and the associated settlement of Ushu. It was an ancient mainland city that supplied the city with water, supplies and burial grounds, as it is common knowledge that scholars believe today it lies underneath Tell Rachidiyeh. (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current) Ushu was on the adjacent mainland (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). It was noted that Alexander the Great connected the island to the mainland by constructing an artificial mole during his siege of the city, demolishing the old city to reuse its cut stone (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Many civilizations successively settled in Tyre from Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans to Crusaders and Ottoman Turks. The city was inscribed as a world heritage site in 1984 (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

Just as it was located since its foundation in the Early Bronze Age, its  location stayed the same today (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). This Lebanese coastal city acts today as the major district of the south province. It is directly located on  the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Today, there are still many valuable remains mainly from the Roman era. Tyre is the fourth largest city in Lebanon and has the largest sandy beach in the country, known as The Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (see: http://www.wildlebanon.org/en/pages/sit/tyre.html). The Lebanese economy is based on several industries, the major ones being banking, tourism, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical product, wood and furniture products, and metal fabrication (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). Despite the political crises, tourism was and still is the major source of revenue to Lebanon. The diverse atmosphere and ancient history make Lebanon a paramount destination. Although Lebanon has been facing major issues affecting its economic structure, it is slowly rebuilding itself. Lebanon offers plenty of tourism resources and culture diversity from roman ruins, castles, caves, historical churches and mosques, beaches, natural reserves, nightlife to its spectacular cuisine. Tyre itself has a handful of resources that contribute directly to national tourism product. Based on its tourism potentials, Tyre is not far from playing a considerable role in supporting the overall Lebanese economy, and data pertaining to the health of our economy post 2018 is presented in the next section (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current).

On the other flip, banking is one of Lebanon’s most successful industries contributing in more than 6% of the national GDP (http://www.discoverlebanon.com/en/panoramic_views/major-industries.ph). Today Tyre has 10 banks (Table 2), over an area that doesn’t exceed 4 km², which are mostly active in trade finance, project finance and private banking. The diverse resources available in Tyre give rise to tourism practices in the area. Tourism-linked resources of Tyre are divided into 2 categories: natural and man-made resources, just as the one of Beirut (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). By tourism-inked we mean resources that directly and indirectly aid in the development of the tourism sector of Tyre (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). In general, natural resources occur naturally within the environment, without any human intervention. They include: climate, landscape and fauna and flora (see: http://www.ar.undp.org/). Broadly, natural resources consist of the geographical location, topography, landscape, flora and fauna, and weather and climate (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

Table 2: Banks in Tyre

 

Tyre, so as Lebanon, has a Mediterranean climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Sour is a coastal city making its summer, from June to September, hot and humid with little or no rain, whereas winter, from December to mid-March, is cool and rainy. Autumn and spring are warm and pleasant. Autumn is a transitional season with a gradual lowering of temperature and little rain however spring occurs when the winter rains cause the vegetation to revive (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). The climate alone is not a determinant of travel but it constitutes an important factor to the visitor and to the local tourism enterprises, as seasonalirty is inmportant according to tourism  professionals for tourists to enjoy any location all year round (see: https://www.academia.edu/8670280/SEASONALITY_IN_TOURISM_causes_implications_and_strategies). From here we get the notification that Tyre with its calm beach and golden shore is a perfect summer vacation as visitors can swim, dive and Jet Ski in the warm and crystal-clear Mediterranean water or simply enjoy the tan. Regarding its biodiversity, Tyre has the lowest (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre) rate of forest cover in Lebanon along with Nabatieh. 

Its fauna and flora diversity is very limited to be bound to the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (TCNR), which is the largest sandy beach in Lebanon (see: http://www.wildlebanon.org/en/pages/sit/tyre.html). Beside encompassing the beautiful stretch of golden sandy shore it is also considered as a haven for many plants, animals, birds and insects. It forms a nesting site for  endangered loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles. Tyre Coast Reserve is of great marine importance due to the freshwater estuaries coming from artesian wells of Ras El-Ain and springs out flowing to the sea. The TCNR is divided into three zones: (1) Tourism zone, the beach area. (2) Agricultural and Archeological zone. (3) Conservation zone including Phoenician Springs of Ras El Ain, and a large area for agricultural (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

Education is essential for local development; the educational system in Tyre is still in its developing phase as we can see major universities having branches there (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). On the down side, not all universities hold hospitality and tourism studies in their programs. The Lebanese University, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, was opened in Tyre until 2012. As for vocational schools, they provide the required knowledge for students, which helps them get in the working field faster because career schools take less time than universities to complete a specific study. Moreover, those schools emphasize their teaching and training on practical skills to enhance the student ability to perform. Table 3 shows the list of higher  educational institutions (HEIs) found in Tyre (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). 

Table 3: HEIs in Tyre.

 

Institutions are organizations founded for specific purposes whether religious, educational, professional, or social. Institutions play a vital role in ruling and implementing regulations that facilitate the execution of tourism activities among service providers, hence supporting local tourism development (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Tyre is abundant with associations and institutions (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre), regardless of their degree of effectiveness. People form association to fulfill their aims and objectives. Along with this they form some rules, regulations and procedures which are known as institution (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Socio-cultural associations in Tyre include Rural Development association and the Cultural Movement of Tyre (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). Because of Tyre’s nature, the presence of environmental associations is inevitable, including the Institution of the Development of people and the Environment and the TCNR (see: http://www.wildlebanon.org/en/pages/sit/tyre.html). According to research, women empowerment and economic development are closely related. In one direction, development alone can play a major role in driving down inequality between men and women; in the other direction, empowering women may benefit development (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). That’s why Tyre has women’s associations such as the Mothers Committee and Southern Women’s Beit (House) Association (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

The superstructure of a destination includes the facilities that have been developed to respond to visitors needs and wants. Superstructure includes: hotels, restaurants, car rental, conference centers, recreation and entertainment facilities (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Technology and information systems are key components of the superstructure. Technology indicates aircrafts, telecommunication and computer-related matters whereas information is the ability of the destination to study the market, get information about its competitors as well as having the feedback on the satisfaction of visitors. For instance, there is more that six car rental companies in Tyre, the major ones being: Fares Rent A Car, EcoCar and Shoughari Rent A Car. Regarding travel agencies, Tyre has a fair share of this business. It has almost 10 travel agencies that book worlwide (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). inally, concerning the superstructure of Tyre, the last has a group of hotels (Table 4), and restaurants (Table 5), as vwell as travel agencies, car rental and entertainment facilities, among others. Restaurants in Tyre are diversified, and its considered as a dynamic market, since every other time a new restaurant had opened up, yet not during the curreznt times. Still, the major ones are found in Table 5. Not to mention the worldwide fast food restaurant chains such as KFC, McDonald’s, PizzaHut, etc. the Table 5 omitted to mention, Restaurant le Phenicien at Tyre’s Harbour (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

Table 4: Hotels in Tyre.

 

Table 5: Restaurants in Tyre.

 

The major superstructure that charaterizes Tyre that are directly related to tourism is the archeological sites: The ancient ruins of the city are spread upon 3 areas: (1) The AlMina Site. It includes the Roman Baths, and the Crusader Cathedral. (2) The Al-Bass Site. It includes the monumental stone archway, aqueducts lining an ancient Roman road, a massive Roman and Byzantine necropolis, and the largest and best-preserved Roman hippodrome in the world. Major work was done on this site, and the works of Patricia Bikai  and Maria-Eugenia Aubet (See: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre) are good starting points to study the Phoenician Necropolii on this site. And (3) the Old City. It includes the Khan al-Ashqar, and the Old Souks. The city alsp has a museum known as the Lebanese Museum for Marine and Wildlife. Every year a festival, Tyre Festival, is held in the city between the months of june and july. The festival celebrates the Lebanese culture and features everything from musical performances to poetry and lectures. Usually the festival is held in one of the city’s venues (Roman theatre...). Sadly both, the museum and the festival, no longer exist (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). Moreover, the Tomb of Hiram the king of Tyre is one of the historical resources of Tyre, as this king was very important as a mediator in the city’s international relations, as it held ties with other Phoenician cities and with both Kings David and Solomon (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). With all that is previously mentioned, it is made clear the importance of resources for not only the development of the tourism industry but for its set off and existence (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). The significance of resources rises as the dependency of the country’s economy on tourism dynamism (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). This is shown in Figure 2, below. This flowchart shows a successful tourism endstop management strategy (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current).

 

Figure 2: Flowchart showing a successful destination management plan.

2.1.2 Beirut 

2.1.3 Theories of Valorization of Local Resources 

The tourism industry has a vested interest in protecting the natural and cultural resources that are the core of its business (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). It contributes to the development which is economically, ecologically and socially sustainable, despite the impact on natural resources and environment than most other industries (see: http://www.ar.undp.org/). It is also based on the enjoyment and appreciation of local culture, built heritage, and natural environment, as such that the industry has a direct and powerful motivation to protect these assets (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). According to some research (see: http://whc.unesco.org/sustainabletourismtoolkit/sites/default/files/13.%20UNWTO%20%282013%29%20Sustainable%20Tourism%20for%20Development%20Guidebook.pdf), tourism can play a positive part in increasing consumer commitment to sustainable development principles. This mainly provides an economic incentive to conserve natural environments and habitats which might otherwise be allocated to more environmentally damaging land uses, hereby, helping to maintain bio-diversity (see: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/398wttc.pdf)

Many Tourism-dependent countries have based their tourism activities on a commitment to minimize impact on the environment, conserve natural resources, engage in active and passive environmental education of their guests, and contribute to the local economy (see: http://www.ar.undp.org/). This can be applied through: the use of new technology, policies, waste management, environmental education, energy and water conservation, and support for local communities and culture. All resource preservation options have been taken into consideration due to the major advantages of such an industry (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). Tourism can be superior to other industries due to: job creation (direct and indirect jobs), rise in standards of living, contribution to sustainable development (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current), it tends to have low start-up costs, feasible in a wide range of areas and regions, continually growing sector, and the industry is aware of the need to protect the resources on which it is based (local culture, built and natural environment) and it is committed to these resources’ preservation and enhancement. Moreover, properly managed tourism should incorporate the following elements: (1) Conservation of biodiversity, (2) Sustaining the well-being of local people, (3) Interpretation/learning experience, (4) Conservation of nonrenewable resources, and (5) Focus on local participation, ownership and business opportunities (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

Many governments are realizing that tourism can only be beneficial when the ecological, cultural and economic goals are held in balance (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). So when a country pursues a coordinated tourism effort it can enhance the diversification of local economies. Tourism has been identified as a catalyst to stimulate economic growth, increase the viability of underdeveloped regions and improve the standard of living of local communities. Nowadays the sustainable concept in tourism, just as any other industry, is the only viable one (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Today the world business is being more responsible. And here we talk about sustainability. It is the optimal use of resources while taking into account the socio-cultural, economic and environmental aspects of the local community where development is taking place (see: https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-development). It helps strengthen the social capital by helping local communities use their abundant resources to grow their economies. Cultural tourism can also improve the quality of life in an area, from a social and cultural perspective (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). This happens by increasing the number of attractions, recreational opportunities and services. Cultural tourism also offers residents the opportunity to meet new people, experience different culture practices, broaden horizons, increases the insight and appreciation for different approaches to living (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current).

It is believed that “natural resources necessarily play a central role in promoting sustainable development”. This is understood as "meeting the needs of this generation – without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs”. For this to be true countries need to use and manage the limited natural resources available to them – efficiently, judiciously, and responsibly.” said Rebeca Grynspan who is an Associate Administrator of UNDP (see: http://www.ar.undp.org/). Nevertheless, throughout the world, developing countries, with a rich resource base of pristine natural and cultural treasures, hold significant comparative advantage in their potential to attract tourists in search of authentic new experiences. (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre). Thus, many studies where made not only on the importance of tourism but also on how proper management of resources in an effective and efficient manner, can aid in the development of the local community (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). In this context, and following some research (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre), our study sheds the light on the impact of an efficient valorization of coastal resources on the development (social and economic) of Tyre. 

Finally, the valorization of Resources and Local Development involves a lot of countries rely on tourism to develop their economy whereas others depend on other sectors to enhance their economy (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Tourism has become fundamental because tourist expenditure is being injected directly into the tourism business and thus developing the economy. At the same time, the country can share its culture and authenticity with the visitors. One of the main regions that depend on coastal tourism is Antalya (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre) So, in order to determine the factors that may lead to tourism development in Tyre, in Beirut, or in any onother costal Lebanese site based on coastal tourism (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current), the best case to refer to in the literature to is the case of Antalya, the largest coastal region of Turkey on the Mediterranean that shares several characteristics with Tyre (see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332351189_The_Effective_Valorization_of_Resources_for_the_Economic_Development_of_Tyre).

3. Presenting the Economic Data from all sectors, including Tourism

3.1 Data Collection 

The data collection encompassed 10 questions, both addressed by expert interviews and quantitative questionnaires. So, Question 1 (Is moving from a service economy to a productive economy in Lebanon actually possible?) addressed whether ort not we can shift from service to cyclical, or production economies. The Interviewee said that, of course, it is possible technically. Because its a matter of political and macro-economic decision before it becomes a technical issue. But before shifting from the services depended economy to an economy based on productivity, Lebanon should start maintaining its plan with  preparing the productive sectors infrastructure. Laws, doing business and other models, financial and monetary facilities, and so on. From the business cycle, there are economic booms (peaks), recessions, depressions (troughs), and recoveries occurring in every country in the world (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). The Responses collected from the surveys agreed.

Question 2 (In what situation is Lebanon in Now?) addressed the following points pertaining to the current situation in Lebanon.  Lebanon is now in a phase of negative growth, and this is not part of the negative growth context that many countries in the world suffer from, with the covid-19 pandemic effects. Rather, the Lebanese negative growth is related to the economic and financial collapse in the country (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). The Responses collected from the surveys agreed.

Question 3 (Define Economic Efficiency? What it is and how can we attain it in Lebanon?) addressed whether or not the Lebanese Economy, currently is efficient or not, and based on our results, it is not (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). The Responses collected from the surveys agreed with the interview results. Thus, Economic efficiency in microeconomics is about applying the best economic operation with minimum production costs for the products and services. In other words, Its a term used in the academic economic community to describe the situation where the state/organization/ company... make the best economic operation with minimum cost for the production of goods or services, in parallel with maximum output.  As for attaining this concept in Lebanon, its possible at state level only after starting planning for the macroeconomic vision (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/)

Question 4 (Which of the following indicators High inflation, High unemployment, Corruption, Terrorism, Low GDP Growth, High foreign debt, Demonstrations, and Loans and interest are most affecting our economy now?) addressed the issue of which of the aforesaid impediments hampered our economy the most, and pretty much all of the following obstacles High inflation, corruption, high foreign debt, were agreed by both the interviewee and the survey respondents (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). However, the interviewee as opposed to the survey respondents claimed that the demonstrations were an impediment, while from the surveys we discovered that they in fact were effects to the current crisis and not a cause. 

Question 5 (Please tell us if these indicators are all equally affecting the economy, or if on the contrary, it is a set of two indicators or more and, why?) addressed whether or not the above listed indicators from the previous question affected the economy in the same way, or if any one indicator in particular, or more affect Lebanon's economy.  Somehow both the interviewee and the survey responses seem to agree that it is a set of many indicators, together that are to blame, since the Lebanese economic problem is chronic, and deeply attached to the political instability (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/)

Question 6 (After defining the indicator(s) most affecting the Lebanese economy, we wish to know now out of the following “Reasons for the devaluation of the LBP Currency”, which one (ones) are the most affecting it and why?) addressed a statement that disusses the most pertinet reason for the devaluation of our currency, and it was noticed from nutual agreement of the interview ad survey results, that the devaluation is not new. Since, the Lebanese central bank covered the difference between the real LBP price, and the fixed price, since 1993. The real price of LBP were exposed when the dollar deposits in central bank ran out (see: REF).

Question 7 (Having formerly defined the DV and potential IVs, the researcher has detected several other, extraneous, compounding, moderating, mediating, intervening variables, please, in your opinion assist her in detecting this variable “No healthy environment to attract investors” what it could be, as three IVs, though this variable affect the DV?) presents arguments that  after setting up our dependent and indepencent variables, to fing out the potential reasons for the “No healthy environment to attract investors” variable that could act as a moderating variable. Both the interviwee and survey responses seem to agree that “No healthy environment to attract investors” is related deeply to the political situation, political conflicts, security instability. In addition to the factors related to the rule of law, The absence of transparency, corruption (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/).

Question 8 (What is a rational plan for economic development? Any ideas?) addresses what economic rational plans are.  So, bason on what the intervoewee said, the main rational idea for economic development could  be in developing a new economic model, based mainly on the Lebanese national human resources in technology, Artificial Intellience (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) fields, as supported by the other sectors, like industry, gas, and tourism (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). In terms of the survey results, there may be qa tradeoff in responses, as many people do not seem to have any idea, or agree in their impplementation, as opposed to the interviwee who seems to agree.

Question 9 (Based on the two existing fiscal (and monetary) policies, please define them for us, and please in your opinion tell us which one the State is enforcing,, and which one is enforced by the Central Bank, for Lebanon?) addresses which of the ministry of finance (MOF) and the Banque du Liban (BDL) use which policies. The interviewee said that "the MOF  has the role of implementing the fiscal policy, while the BDL's role is framed by implementing the monetary policy". thus, governmental and monetary policies play a pivotal role in driving the evolution of economic and financial opportunities discourse and practices in the developed and the developing countries (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). The survey clarified the answer further adding impetus to the expert's response, since the BDL also has a role in implementing the MOF's fiscal policies through recently releasing circulars such as 151 (cshong USDs at 3,900 LBP), and 158 (cashing 800 USD, half in fresh currency, hlaf in LBP currency at the rate of the app, which is 12,000 LBP to the USD) as a response to the illegal Capital control, and Circular 331, which although was released in 2013 was never really implemented, allowing for securing funding for Start ups through subsidies (see: https://scholarworks.aub.edu.lb/handle/10938/21673)

The ultimate purpose of this research paper is to examine and explore “The impact of the current crisis in the MENA region; case study: Lebanese economy.” It demonstrates that Lebanon’s unproductive rentier economy revolves around four crucial sectors: household sector, firms sector, government sector and the foreign sector (see: www.lcps-lebanon.org). 

Yet, since our study presents another approach to how fiscal and monetary policies within these sectors have a direct influence on the deterioration of foreign domestic investments (FDIs), the improvement of the inflation rate, the deficiency of the trade balance and the paralysis of the budgetary balance on their direct with their crucial impacts on the GDP of the Lebanese economy and presents a new line of thought to work strictly on the prioritization of six Lebanese sectoral drivers - Agriculture, industry and tourism, knowledge economy, financial services and diaspora. The main priority initiatives that could be considered to advance the growth of the agricultural sector are: Empowering farmers by encouraging cooperation and prioritizing crops with high export growth potential (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). 

At the same time, the revival of the industry's growth could be achieved by prioritizing the potential sub-sectors: jewelry, agricultural, food, sanitation, cosmetics, perfumes, pharmacy and furniture, in addition to the establishment of reconstruction industries. (for Syria and Iraq): either prefabricated and removable buildings. A way forward proposed to stimulate the tourism sector, which includes refining the Lebanese tourist offer, nourishing ecotourism poles, strengthening infrastructure, connectivity and communication, and employing national teams for marketing and a targeted branding image (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/).

Question 10 (We believe that Lebanon is at a recessionary gap and utilizes contractionary policies through the government fiscal policies, and corresponding central bank policies. Do you agree, or disagree? And Why?) addresses the case in which Lebanon is currently in terms of using expansionary or contractionary policies. Yet, based on the interviewee, Lebanon is an example of both situations. It’s a complex situation where the fiscal and monetary policies choke the economic growth possibilities, to cover the debt service, and LBP rate freezing, we understand that both are utilized, but are utilized ineffectively. Thus, we are in a situation where indeed the MOF and the BDL sole aims are to increase inflation rates, having no intention to get us out of recession, through slowing down an already weak economy. This is clear (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). 

Question 11 (Finally, before concluding? Admitting that service economies are similar to rentier ones, and having defined that Lebanon is perhaps, like USA, a service economy, what are your thoughts on the rentier economies? Do they apply to Lebanon? Why yes, and why not?) addresses the query to see what Economic System Lebanon effectively follows. The Lebanese economy is already rentier.  The rentier economy characteristics inflate the effect of security situation, violence, and political instability. The rentier economies need the stability to perform perfectly. Otherwise it will face sudden shocks every now and then. The Eleven indicators listed in the 2018 and 2019 McKenzie and World Bank Reports will be discussed in details in order to comprehend the situation. Below, we discuss each of these 11 econonomic indicators separately, as they were partly responsible for triggeing the October 17 2019 anti corruption "Thawra" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). The first indicator is tourism; qnd the last, consumerism.

3.2. Tourism

In terms of Tourism, the Leisure and Hospitality sector in Lebanon (acting as the first indicator of economic activity) was known to have been a booming sector in the past, and if managed properly it can help prevent economic collapse in the region (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). This has been extensively studies in recent reserches pertining to he response of the businesses towards the corruption scandal and towards the coid pandemic among other iempediments for the sector's success (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). Yet, several recent studies show that economic development will result once the authorities improve tourism activities in the country, and relaunch the sector which was not done before the “Thawra”, by favoring schemes with rapid gains over profits at long term (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). As VR is an emerging computer-based technology that offers promise as a learning tool for diverse learners, used to enhance student learning and engagement. Thus, VR education can transform the way educational content is delivered; it works on the premise of creating a virtual world — real or imagined — and allows users not only see it but also interact with it. However, educators ought to be extremely careful with virtual reality, as it has severe side effects on its users. There are some small-scale experimental studies with an educational focus where certain conditions such as emotional induction and level of immersion are altered in order to measure short-term knowledge retention (Olmos-Raya et al., 2018). Cybersickness and perceptuomotor after-effects have been reported as potential side effects of VR. In addition, headaches and eyestrain have been reported in prolonged exposure with VR systems (Allcoat et al. 2018).

In this study, the major form of learning under study is e-learning. This form of learning has emerged and the development of its tools with it. According to Sarkar (2012), computer multimedia presents the perfect advantages for ensuring visually enriched learning mediums. Another form of efficient communication associated with learning technologies is virtual reality which also plays an important role in the distant future of education. All of the above are under the patronage of e-learning. Consequently, administrators and educators have tried increasing cooperative group work, problem-solving and decision-making through technology utilized in pedagogy. In other words, technology-based tools have increased student cognitive performance in student learning and rendered thistype of learning as a comprehensible educational approach of the decade. it was  mentioned that: “Computer-based systems have great potential for delivering teaching and learning material; the rapid development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly the Internet, is one of the most fascinating phenomena characterizing the Information Age” (Sarkar 2012).

3.3. The Financial Sector

The financial industry in Lebanon (encompassing the second indicator of economic activity), booming in the past, was doomed to failure in the last decade, due to the Arab Spring and the Syrian revolution of 2011, with the two economies being interdependent on each other, as the 2018 McKenzie Report, the IMF and the World Bank have recorded. The sector was heavily plagued by corruption from the Lebanese political elite, which dealt its final blow a few months before the "Thawra" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). Through this study, the impact of the last three decades of corruption, the of the Syrian crisis and on the Covid 19 on businesses in Lebanon, especially on the Lebanese banking system, has been behaving erratically ever since (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

We have seen that the Lebanese economy is strongly correlated with the Syrian economy. Since the onset of the crisis in 2010, the Lebanese population has suffered from a shortage of electricity and water, as well as a shortage of fuel. The price of some basic commodities increased, even in the education sector there was a problem with Lebanese students pursuing studies in Syria who were forced to take a break in the middle of their studies. The same scenario is repeating itself now with the administration of foreign currency capital controls and so-called "haircut" policy discussions on personal accounts. Both procedures are illegal, and go against Lebanese law, and go against professional ethics (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

The crisis has highlighted the fact that the two economies are one and that Syria is Lebanon's second lung, as has been described. Lebanon has had to face the political consequences, with some Lebanese politicians intervening in Syrian affairs by providing money and weapons to the opposition. Lebanon also faces the Syrian refugees who risk upsetting the delicate balance between religious sects in Lebanon. So, we analyze the impact of the Syrian crisis on the Lebanese banking sector, make recommendations and propose concrete solutions in order to get out of this deadlock once and for all (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

For decades, the "efficient market hypothesis" (or HME) has been widely accepted by academic financial economists around the world. Yet now in Lebanon, with major flaws in banking systems over the past two years following the 2019 political corruption revolution and the Covid 19 epidemic, a different picture is building. It was generally believed that the securities markets were extremely good at reflecting information about individual stocks and the stock market as a whole, prior to 2019 in Lebanon. The opinion believed that when information arises, the news spreads very quickly and is incorporated into the prices of securities without postponement, except now after the Lebanese Stock Exchange and its entire banking sector suffers greatly, unless the reforms imposed by France's President Macron did not see the light of day (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

The current investigation deals with the impact of Covid 19 and the financial crisis on the banking sector in Lebanon. However, the current study, being in the initial stage decides to discuss in a way based on the "efficient market theory". So, decades ago, this hypothesis was widely accepted by financial economists (academics or professionals), starting with Professor Eugene Fama, in the 1960s - 1970s, who popularized Prof. Bachelier's work of the 1900s, which  unpopular till the mid 1960s. Stable markets were generally believed to be extremely effective at reflecting information about individual stocks and the stock market as a whole. It was also believed that when information arises, the news spreads very quickly and is incorporated into the prices of the headlines without report (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

Therefore, neither technical analysis (which was the subject of previous studies of past stock prices in an attempt to predict future prices), nor even fundamental analysis (which is the analysis of financial information such as that corporate profits, their capital gains, and so on) have not had the desired effects. Because, this information will not help investors to select “undervalued” stocks, nor allow them to obtain returns higher than those which could be obtained by holding a portfolio chosen at random of individual stocks of comparable risk. In parallel with other studies, both in the Middle East and in the rest of the world, seek to study the behavior of financial and stock markets facing for nearly a decade several serious geopolitical and socio-economic problems. So the approach of this study is to re-evaluate this efficient market hypothesis, in order to see if it fits in Lebanon or not. As well as speculating as much as possible about the Lebanese stock market facing the financial crisis induced by the corrupt Lebanese elite and the Covid 19 in Lebanon (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

So, the efficient market hypothesis relates to the idea of ​​a 'random walk', which is a term used in the financial literature to characterize a series of prices where all subsequent price changes represent random deviations from the price. at previous prices. A descriptive methodology for the current survey would be possible, with an exploratory approach, to the extent possible. The investigator might consider issuing a pilot study in order to survey the population to ensure that his initial methodology will best meet the needs of the study in order to see if the real causes for estimating the impact of the Covid-19 on the concept of “Efficient Market Theory” has been well examined. The reason for the idea of ​​"random walk" is that if the flow of information is unrestricted and the information is immediately reflected in stock prices, then tomorrow's price change will only reflect tomorrow's news. and will be independent of price changes today. But news is by definition unpredictable, and therefore the resulting price changes must be random and unpredictable. So the current case in Lebanon (see: https://libnanews.com/estimation-de-limpact-de-la-corruption-politique-libanaise-la-covid-19-et-lexplosion-du-port-de-beyrouth-sur-le-secteur-bancaire-libanais-comprendre-la-theorie-du-marche-eff/).

3.4. Major Economic Indicators

The main economic indicators (serving as the third indicator of economic activity), were those suggested by experts in the January 2020 WEF in Davos, the one attended by H.E. Gebran Bassil. The following eight indicators (treated independently) will break down the general indicators, linked to GDP, net exports, consumption behavior, PPI, CPI, etc. (all listed in: https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators) both the Standards & Poor Criteria, and the Moody Criteria for Lebanon are quite disastrous, and this long before the “Thawra”. (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). Besides, an NGO recently proved this by collecting data from the Lebanese state which provides this evidence itself (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

Before discussing the fourth indicator, Drs. Louis Hobeika and Jad Chaaban mentioned that the banking sector, a week before and after the "Thawra" was not in catastrophic deficit, but that caution was in order. Dr. Chaaban discussed that budgets ate typically drafter for a coutry's people and bnot its leaders, in an article in Beirut Today (see: https://beirut-today.com/2019/04/23/lebanon-budget-people/). Around the same time, in a Daily Star article, Dr. Hobeika mentioned that high interest rates de facto mean weak currencies, a scourge facing rentier economies and that this is a very bad sign (Hobeika). Other experts, ipso facto, encourage transforming our economy into a cyclical economy, and even would encourage a transfer from our so-called service economy to a so-called production one (but political corruption and terrorism including money laundering transactions, money and conflicting political agendas currently are preventing that), and necessitate serious reconsideration (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). This is also discussed in other research articles as well (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). 

3.5. GDP

Thus, Naturally, a country's GDP should be selected as a measure of economic health (fourth indicator of economic activity), since our debt-to-GDP ratio (152%) was estimated just before the uprising of October 17, 2019 (Les indicators are listed in “https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators” under “GDP”). Now (that is, during Covid 19) it is 300%, and it is the highest in the world. Despite all the prevention processes and policies undertaken by the government, it is estimated that the public debt will reach 454% by the end of 2020, the ratio being forested to triple (see: www.imf.org). Yet, according to the latest estimate, as of December 2018, the total GDP for this year was estimated at 56.64 billion USD. Per capita, it was estimated at $ 1,000 per month per capita, for a total of $ 12,000 per year per capita (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). This pre "Thawra" indicator was a sign of a healthy economy, unlike the estimate at the end of 2020 (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

3.5.1. Calculating GDP

There are four ways of calculating GDP - all of which in theory should sum to the same amount:

A. Getting the GDP value

1. National Output (NO) = National Expenditure (Aggregate Demand) = National Income (NI).

2. (i) The Expenditure Method - Aggregate Demand (AD).

3. GDP = C + I + G + (X-M) where: X-M = NX (means we could focus on exports over imports to

strengthen our GDP).

4. The Income Method – adding together factor incomes.

B. You estimate NGDP and RGDP (based on whether you include inflation or not).

Real GDP and or nominal GDP gives the true value of GDP.

C. You estimate GDP Deflator.

D. Whilst estimating GDP, you take into account only finished goods, and all activities that contribute to the economic growth (legal), including tourism How nations like Lebanon need to spend smartly their time, and money to valorize all resources and not increase public debt any longer?

3.6. Labour

Labour (which is our fifth indicator of economic activity) indicating a high initial unemployment rate of around 26% before the “Thawra”, was one of the reasons why many young people emigrated out of the country, because it was a fiscal collapse (The indicators are listed in “https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators” under “Labor”). Once the non-institutionalized populations have been removed, the labor force (the available labor force that can be employed) is estimated and describes the people currently employed, and/or may also apply to a region. geographic like a city, state or country. Yet, according to previous studies, rates have risen from 7% to over 40% according to World Bank figures (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). Beides, the dramatic loss of labor, i.e. labor surplus, and job shortages, were partly also among the triggers for the "Thawra" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

3.7. Prices

Prices (which act as our sixth indicator of economic activity) believe that prices can be a good indicator, because through the market basket, economists can predict the PPI (or CPI), to estimate the rates of inflation, economic growth rates, etc as discussed in the literature (see: ref). Unfortunately, we have hard evidence that inflation has skyrocketed and GDP has declined, to effectively prove that we are in an economic trough, following the 2018 McKenzie report and data from the IMF and the Bank. global (Indicators are listed in “https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators” under “Prices”). This is an important indicator, as it triggered some of the problems we now face (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

3.7.1 Calculating CPI (without Inflation)

Below we summarize how to calculate CPI through the Market Basket Consumption

• The cost of the CPI basket in the current period is $70.

• The CPI is calculated using the formula: CPI = (Cost of basket in current period/Cost of basket in base period) × 100.

• Using the numbers for the simple example, the CPI is CPI = ($70/$50) × 100 = 140.

• CPI (or PPI = Price per index) can be measured in terms of inflation (or by the % change from CY wrt BY, for instance).

• dCPI = (CPI new   CPI old / CPI old) x 100.

• % dCPI is the way to estimate inflation. Whereas GDP deflator measures growth.

 

Figure 2: CPI In Lebanon.

3.7.2. Measuring CPI with inflation

CPI new – CPI old / CPI old = dCPI

• % dCPI is used to measure inflation

• GDP Deflator is measured in terms of growth, not inflation (see: Figure 2)

3.8. Money Supply

Money supply (acting as our seventh indicator of economic activity) is an indicator that directly involves how the banking sector in Lebanon or globally, through central banks as their roles are to regulate the supply of money (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). Appropriate use of financial and monetary policies (by raising or lowering interest and inflation rates) generally regulates the money supply (Indicators are listed in "https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators" under "Money"). Yet in Lebanon, experts note that they are using the wrong policies because they tend to limit the money supply (M0), which is one of the problems of mismanagement of the state and the central bank that unleashed the "Thawra" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

3.9. Trade

Trade (acting as our eighth indicator of economic activity) has been defined in particular via imports and exports (NX = N - M) or the so-called “Balance of Trade” (The indicators are listed in “https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators"under “Trade”). Pre “Thawra” statistics showed that Lebanon imported 90% of its goods (or services) against 10% produced locally. As soon as the dollar crisis struck, another trigger for “Thawra”, imports were completely stopped completely, and also indicated a dysfunctional system. This activity, which negatively influenced our GDP, was expected by experts (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). They note that before "Thawra", we estimated our GDP to be 67% efficient, without taking into account the 33% illegal (or other) activity. Illegal activity includes but does not exclude money laundering transactions or other tax evasion covered by political mafia, or bank branches (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

This research revealed, with regard to inflation and the trade balance, the presence of a negative significance (this could be illustrated by the economic equation which meets the fact that each time the prices increase, the exports in turn will decrease, which has a crucial unfavorable impact on the trade balance). At the same time, the increase in prices has a negative impact on manufacturing opportunities and development, resulting in a decline in domestic production. In fact this is a combination of two masters research and a scientific study discussing all of this (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). 

The data acquired had a positive meaning between balanced budget and GDP, reflecting the pivotal role of government and monetary policies in changing economic and financial opportunities on both fronts: domestic and foreign investment (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). The major problem in Lebanon is the debt-to-GDP ratio estimated at 454% since the end of 2020 (uncited source). Besides; the local currency plummeted against the US dollar, reaching 11,000 LL on the black market in January 2021, now the value us closer to 22,000 LL). Thus, The former Switzerland of the Middle East currently resembles the situation in Iran, or Venezuela more than anything else as it is today. Despite this, Lebanon fought and survived a massive budget deficit for 10 consecutive years, but the sector drivers behind the Lebanese economy, the tourism and banking sectors were able to accelerate the stabilization of the Lebanese economy, but due to the recent geopolitical ans socio economic events got a slqp in the face. (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/).

3.10. Government Expenditure

Government expenditure (GE) or activities (acting as our ninth indicator of economic activity) are often not counted against a country's GDP, with subsidies excluded (Indicators are listed in "https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators” under "Government”). We use this indicator to understand state-induced turnover, even if the Lebanese government acts unethically, because obviously the Lebanese state, governments and virtually all politicians are not transparent. This is because some GEs were not needed, as Lebanon's Electricity expenditure was 11% of annual GDP, according to a recent estimate, and salaries of state employees, nearly half of GDP. However, in November 2019, the public debt was estimated at (121,434 billion LBP) as documented in the literature (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). One of the reasons that triggered the "Thawra" of October 17, 2019, was the unnecessary tax increases and the creation of new ones, such as the famous "WhatsApp tax" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/).

3.11 Businesses

Business performance (acting as our tenth indicator of economic activity) includes all private and public enterprises providing the basic amenities that the Lebanese population needs (Indicators are listed in "https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators” under “Businesses”). Thus, this indicator relating to all business-to-business-to-business-to-consumer services was presented as such (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). According to World Bank figures and the McKenzie Reports from 2018, Lebanon was placed under corruption levels of 137 out of 180, and some of the other service listings (which were dysfunctional and outdated) also triggered the  "Thawra" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/)

3.12. Consumers

Consumers (acting as our last indicator of economic activity) include B-to-B and B-to-C, as the first indicator, as it is clear that consumers are segmented into individuals (households) or businesses (companies). Therefore, consumers are separated according to their activities, identifying their wants and needs to define the supply and demand relationship between the economy and consumer behavior needs (Indicators are listed in "https://tradingeconomics.com/lebanon/indicators” under “Consumers”) as discussed in details in several recent researches (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/). Thus, this ends the discussion on the Eleven Indicators that led to the  "Thawra" (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/)

4. Discussion 

Since we discussed the economic indicatorzs in details it was revealed that there is a positive relation with Economic development and enhancing tourism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). This way, we enhance our GDP without harming the public debt and thus, this is realtively easy to valrize sites to enhqnce tourizm, especiallt in the Post Pandemic as ways to help recover the Tourism sector (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). And there is no need for a PhD in economics or political science to see that out of the Eleven or so Archeology Specialists who between mid 2011 to 2012 pleaded to the Misistry of Tweleve to preserve Bey 194 versus four counter arguments (of which two were nonsensical), H.E. Salim Warde had accepted the plea to preserve this site, while his successor, H.E. Gaby Layyoun ignored the 12 specialists' recommendations to keep Bey 194 to favour the four counterarguments who agreed to dismantle it, and went forth on Jun 27th 2012 to destroy the Vth Century BC Persian Periods Dry Docks that could have been one of Lebanon's best and most unique structures had it been valorised (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current)

4.1. Valorizing our Potentials

In terms of Valorizing unique cultural sites we will cite Bey 194 as an important site responding to the criteria of being a unique site (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Had Beirut kept BEY 194 (the Phoenician harbor), tourists attracted in Carthaginian portuary structures would have visited Beirut, and took advantage while visiting the dry docks, to visit the other attractions Beirut had to offer, beaining in mling Bey 194 deserved to be inscribed on the World heritage list of the UNESCO and not dismantled by unscrupulous developers (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Why had? Because today, a yeqr ago, half of Beirut was destroyed by the Beirut Harbor Blast, yet another witness of state, bureaucratic qand political negligence. As Museums are a way to attract tourists to a site (ex: the new Beirut museum, planned to be built near the Al-Nahar Building) any tourist vesting one area will be be able to extend his/her stay a day or two more and visit specific unique sites, such as BEY 194, had it been preserved. Finally, any kind of  festival, cultural activity, and so on, are a tthird way to attract tourists to a spot. Baalbeck, Beiteddine, Batroun, Ehden, and specific other areas have in Lebanon have specific cultural festivals; Unfortunately, the Tyre Festival was cancelled sone years back.

In terms Valorizing natural resources, as Lebanon has 300 days of sun, we have a direct source of cleqn and green energy source (green). Fossil fuels are the past. Yet, with our estimated and existing reserves, we can get out of debt. Another way of getting out of it is by shutting down all public firms operqting at a loss (ex: Electricité du Liban, EDL).and as we need to ficus on solar ennergy and sustainability, the corrupt oligarchs and associated cartels and ponziists, with their conflicting political agengdas, and among others acts of fraud, embezzelment, corrpution and terrorism prevent any positive development of chances for economic recovery. Yet, our country lacks vision, since the cartels paralysing any change of positive develop,ent or economic growth are discussing who will benefit from those wet gas reserves, while in the Southern levant, Cyprus and Syria, they are a step ahead in extracting these hydrocarbon.

In terms of preserving all UNESCO Cultural and Natural Sites, our neighbors are also doing a better job than we do. We instead of preserving sites, have Solidère and corrupt developers who don't hesitate to destroy potential heritages for quick personal gains, plus it was attested that archeology is not valued at all by the Beirut municipality, since specific artefacts were targeted systematically by contractors, while worldwide, the trend is to valorize such sites and not destroy them (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Besides, in Lebanon, there are more examples of unmanaged resources that offer us wealth including enhancing tourism which seem to be ignored by the authorities, but with the DGA's and the Ministry of Culture's 1-3% annual budget it cannot do its job properly (see: https://pdf4pro.com/view/culture-in-lebanon-by-2020-agenda-culturel-ed10.html). Yet, as there is a link with valorizing cultural and natural sites, enhancing tourism and ultimately Economic growth, our GDP will definitely be improved once the tourism activity gets restored, since since 2019 Lebanon has had all the miseries it could possibly imine; corrupt mafias, rapidly devaluating currencies and a pandemic that the entire word faced since March 2020, will now more than ever make tourism as a blessing. This is since nearly all of our GDP activities (except from Government expenditures and subsidies, as sources mention that 33% of the Lebanese Financial activities are deemed illegal (including nepotism, bribery, money laundering, smuggling, Ponzi tactics, embezzlement, fraud, and so on0, and thus our GDP was only estimated on 67% activities) and which do not count in its estimation) come from tourism (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current). Thus, valorizing our cultural and natural heritage properly will not only enhance our tourism activities, thus will also enhance our GDP; without adding to the public debt. So, had the BEY 194 site been kept, the site would have been valorized (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current) and now, this encourages us to defend our heritage at an individual or community level, against these brutal savages since they are not even capable of keeping us safe, thinking back about the Beirut Port Blast, on Aug 4th 2020. 

So basically, what we can do as citizens, aside from protecting our own (cultural and natural) heritage is demaning the truth in honour of the victims such thqt the culprits from the oligarchy directly or indirectly responsible, get punished for negligence, or intentional criminal acts..

4.2 Steps to do so

For starters, we must take in to account that: Firstly, resources won't indefinitely survive if we don't use them with care. Secondly, the current economic situation is in no way sustainable. If neither fiscal policies, nor monetary policies aim at regulating the economy, it is up to us to find sustainable ways to find alternatives. Lastly, this research found ways in increasing our GDP, and yet keeping the debt low, or to ultimately decrease, since GDP contributes to setting off the debts. 

Then, we also must take in to account that Beirut, the Mediterranean port city whose history includes multiple destructions and reconstructions since antiquity, was yet again destroyed on the 4th of August, 2020 (see: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493). The double explosion that originated in its seaport and rocked its capital traveled a 10 km radius east of Beirut, killing more than 200 people, injuring 7000, and damaging more than 8000 buildings. According to the Jordan Seismological Observatory, it was equivalent to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale, and is considered one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history (see: https://theowp.org/the-humanitarian-cost-of-the-beirut-port-disaster/). The echo of the enormous blast was felt as far away as Cyprus, about 200 km from Beirut (see: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493). Local and international media outlets rushed to cover the various aspects of the blast and its aftermath. The arts and culture scene were particularly highlighted because the neighbourhoods suffering the greatest damage, Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael, are famous for their old historical buildings, and vibrant artistic and cultural scene. Indeed, preliminary damage assessments issued by UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture recorded 640 historical buildings damaged, 60 of which are at risk of collapse ​ (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut).

And, then, The following must also be taken in to account. While there has been a great deal of attention focused on the fate of private art galleries and museums like the Sursock museum, a semi-private modern and contemporary art museum (see: https://sursock.museum/content/architecture), coverage of the effects of the blast on the archaeology museums in Beirut, which too have been damaged, were almost entirely absent. The goal of this piece is thus to focus attention on the effects of the explosion on the cultural heritage of Beirut, and in particular its archaeological museums, and to consider more broadly what the current lack of attention on this sector reveals about the systemic issues facing the archaeology of Beirut that implicate local, national, and international policy alike. (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/)

4.3 Heritage in Beirut, Before and After the Explosion

Lebanese cultural heritage has endured waves of looting, vandalism, negligence and destruction over the past several decades, and in all cases the city’s social fabric, heritage, and memory have suffered (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). Ironically, it was not the Lebanese War that caused the most destruction but rather the 1994 “rebuilding” in its aftermath, as the whole center of the city was literally and intentionally razed  with the collaboration with archaeologists and experts under UNESCO supervision, in what Naccache (1998, p. 140) has termed a “memorycide.” For a brief moment in time, Beirut was dubbed the largest urban archaeological site in the world (see: https://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Art/1998/Aug-25/100563-too-many-archaeological-sites-in-downtown-beirut-to-excavate-all-of-them.ashx). A quasi-governmental company which was founded for the development and reconstruction of Beirut known by its French acronym SOLIDERE came to the “rescue” to build a new and unrecognizable Beirut, in which traces of the conflict were removed and replaced by new buildings to hide its scars and make Beirut “beautiful” again (Fricke, 2005). The systemic destruction of heritage at the hands of SOLIDERE and its collaborators was monumental; it affected its inhabitants who lost their homes and businesses, it affected its history as its archaeological sites and historical buildings were erased and built over, and affected the shared memory of the Lebanese people who no longer share a common identity. Today the remains of virtually any pre-war era are gone from the Beirut Central District (BCD), and now the historic neighborhoods of Ashrafieh, Gemmayzeh and Mar Mkhayel, which escaped the bulldozers of 1994, have been severely damaged by the seaport explosion. In light of this destruction, the importance of preserving its archaeology and history museums, also damaged in the blast, is even more crucial, as they play a vital role in preserving and celebrating the city’s heritage. (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/)

In the crypt of the Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, located in the city center, is the only in-situ archaeology museum of Beirut (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). The cathedral, which was heavily destroyed during the war, was again severely damaged in the 2020 explosion; however the state of the museum itself is unknown. Other archaeology museums in the city are the National Museum of Beirut and two university museums; The American University of Beirut Museum (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/) and the Prehistory Museum (see: https://www.facebook.com/114126908775108/posts/1445873272267125/) at the University of Saint-Joseph. With their considerable collections of archaeological remains, their cultural events, and lectures, they have been playing a major role in the museum sector. (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/)

Throughout the tumultuous modern history of the country, these museums have each seen their share of misfortune. This is perhaps no truer than in the case of the NMB. Inaugurated on the 27th of May 1942, it was enriched by archaeological artifacts discovered on the various excavations carried out in Lebanon as well as by donations (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). On the 13th of April 1975, the Lebanese War broke out forcing the museum to close its doors to the public. Between that year and 1990 the museum square became a demarcation line named “the museum passage” dividing Beirut into East and West. The head of the Antiquities Service and curator of the Beirut National Museum at the time, Maurice Chéhab, his wife Olga, and museum team members rescued and protected the artifacts from the dangers of looting and destruction (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). The impromptu risk management plan and rescue operation were a success, and by the end of the war in the 1990 most of the artifacts were found intact (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). The damage was mainly confined to the building itself and its warehouses, and restoration works were subsequently carried out by the Ministry of Culture and the National Heritage Foundation (a non-profit organization created in 1996 by a group of Lebanese intellectuals aiming at preserving the Lebanese cultural heritage). In 1999 the museum reopened with a completely renovated ground and first floor to welcome back its visitors (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/).

The August explosion did not severely affect the Beirut National Museum  as the damage was mainly structural, while the collection and the museum staff remained safe (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). The AUB Museum also had some structural damages but has lost a showcase containing over 70 ancient glass artifacts ranging from the Roman to the Islamic periods. This was communicated a few weeks later on the museum’s website, which followed by a series of Facebook live videos showing the lifting of the fallen showcase and the salvage of the remaining pieces (see: https://www.facebook.com/aub.edu.lb). The USJ's Prehistory Museum disclosed a few details on their Facebook page (without any visuals) about the cleaning process performed by a team of Blue Shield volunteers (see: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1445873272267125&id=114126908775108). Other than the university museums, private museums with archaeological collections such as the Villa Audi Mosaic Museum and the Robert Mouawad Private Museum are now permanently closed, however there was no information in the news regarding their structural condition nor their collections’ following the explosion. The relative lack of information communicated by the archaeology museums can be contrasted with that of the Sursock Museum, which was quickly a focus of international media attention. The museum’s page on Facebook https://sursock.museum/content/architecture) and Instagram (see: https://www.instagram.com/sursockmuseum/?hl=en) posted pictures a few hours after the blast showing the damaged building and collection, as well as surveillance camera footage at the moment of the explosion. The museum remains active on all its social media platforms, posting visuals on a daily basis regarding the works performed to clean, restore, and rehabilitate (see: https://sursock.museum/content/architecture).

The cultural community in Beirut was already at breaking point when the blast hit. Cultural institutions were already strained by recent events, including a popular uprising, an economic collapse, and the global pandemic. For the past two years Lebanon has been facing its worst economic crisis in its history, as the Lebanese Lira plummeted to half its official value this year and the country is teetering on the brink of financial collapse (see: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/world/middleeast/lebanon-economic-crisis/). Relying mainly on private initiatives, the cultural sector was already suffering from a major lack of financial resources. The budget of the Ministry of Culture represents less than 1% of the total government budget (see: https://pdf4pro.com/view/culture-in-lebanon-by-2020-agenda-culturel-ed10.html)

This results in a total incapacity to pay simple monthly bills as well as the inability to organize any cultural events. The private sector is not spared; almost two years ago the Sursock Museum announced that it would reduce its opening days to save funds and even considered closing for good, launching a fundraising campaign in an effort to prevent the permanent closure (see: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/beirut-arts-organizations-closing-protests-1685554). Adding to the preexisting weak economic situation, the 17th of October 2019 uprising paralyzed the country’s economy for two weeks in a row, until the failure of H.E. Saad Hariri's Government, who resigned by the End of October 2019 (see: https://libnanews.com/historique-de-la-thawra-depuis-le-17-octobre-2019-a-nos-jours/). The movement which is demanding basic civil rights and a political reform, is still ongoing after 11 months (see: https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/the-making-of-lebanons-october-revolution). It is noteworthy to mention that the protesters were showing a deep appreciation of their heritage. Staying on the streets in Beirut and camping in the public squares, people were promoting the preservation of the archaeological sites scattered in and around these squares reclaiming the public space as theirs. In the early days of the uprising, the cultural scene in Lebanon in general, and in Beirut in particular closed down its museums, galleries, and art spaces in solidarity with the millions of protestors. Even as some of them reopened, the situation remained unstable as daily anti-government demonstrations took to the streets of Beirut causing a complete paralysis in the country (see: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/beirut-arts-organizations-closing-protests-1685554). Around March 2020 they had to close again due to the Covid-19 lockdown, and on the 4th of August the entire city was destroyed (see: https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/03/15/Coronavirus-Lebanon-to-close-airport-borders-ports-some-public-institutions).

The 4th of August explosion has thus revealed issues that need to be confronted (see: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/beiruts-blast-and-lebanons-deeper-crisis/). The lack of a coherent cultural policy for the country that can regulate, protect, encourage, and ultimately financially support cultural activities through actions, laws, and programs, has left cultural institutions to fend for themselves, finding creative ways to rise to these challenges and continue to provide for their communities.

Outdated Lebanese laws on culture need structural reform to bring clarity and direction to managing the cultural field, decision-making, and the distribution of responsibilities.  In the case of museums, the lack of clear laws and regulations have led to major problems related to the ownership and custody of private collections. Independent entities such as the High Commission of Museums would contribute to fill the gap left by the governmental parties. This commission regulated in the Official Gazette decree published in 2016 is composed of a president and seven board members (see: http://legallaw.ul.edu.lb/LawView.aspx?opt=view&LawID=258548). Its role is to supervise and strengthen the establishment and the management of Lebanese public and private museums, to preserve the Lebanese cultural heritage, and to enhance the skills of museum professionals. To this date this commission remains inoperative for unclear reasons. However, with the budget cuts the economy is facing, it is highly probable that this commission’s activities will be put on hold for an uncertain period of time (see: https://pdf4pro.com/view/culture-in-lebanon-by-2020-agenda-culturel-ed10.html).

Another organization that can play a role in shaping the museum sector in Lebanon is the National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). All the museums that were affected by the explosion in Beirut have been ICOM members for years. As a forum of experts, ICOM makes recommendations on issues related to cultural heritage, promotes capacity building, advances knowledge, and sets professional and ethical standards for museum activities. It also has a code of ethics and a set of rules and regulations that define what a museum is or what it should be. And the role of a museum as an inclusive institution that has as a primary responsibility to protect and promote cultural heritage is at the top of the mission; a museum plays a major social role and engages regularly with its community (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/).

4.4 Moving Forward

The blast on the 4th of August came at a point where the Lebanese cultural sector was facing a slow death. In the aftermath, various local and international organizations rushed to offer their help and to restore what was destroyed (see: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/beiruts-blast-and-lebanons-deeper-crisis/). This however, did not only expose the damage caused by the blast, but it also exposed the frailty of the sector that was already suffering. Nevertheless, it might also open a small window of opportunity to hit the reset button, allowing for a new start with a different approach and a different set of objectives. The cultural sector now has a substantial role to play in reshaping the future after the explosion. After all, the loss of heritage is an act of symbolic violence on the past and future inhabitants of Beirut, as the erasure of cultural memory severs links with the past, which ‘are integral to forging and maintaining modern identities’ (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). The failure to preserve Beirut’s pre-war social fabric and architecture should motivate us today to save what is left, and resist calls to rebuild these areas in the way SOLIDERE did in the BCD. Museums in Beirut should embrace their social role as a place to express, contest, and mediate community identity and memory. This cannot be reached without the inclusion of the entire community, with which the museum should maintain means of communication open (see: https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1233479/-les-musees-du-liban-sont-riches-par-leurs-collections-mais-petits-par-leurs-moyens-.html).

Public outreach and communications especially in times of crisis place the museums in the heart of their communities, making them more accessible and visible, and should be part of a museum’s communications plan (see: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/cunygc/detail.action?docID=710110). Social media is indispensable in this process and a lot can be learned from the strategy applied by the Sursock Museum to attract immediate attention and disseminate news; this can go a long way in the process of raising awareness, collecting funds, and rapidly rehabilitating the museum (see: https://sursock.museum/content/architecture).

Cultural institutions and museums in post-colonial Lebanon (as elsewhere in the world) have a long history of elitism and exclusivity (see: https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1233479/-les-musees-du-liban-sont-riches-par-leurs-collections-mais-petits-par-leurs-moyens-.html). However, museums worldwide have been getting more involved with their communities and the notion of the museum for the elites has been gradually changing towards being more accessible and inclusive (see: https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2017-05-11/how-are-museums-changing-from-institutions-of-the-elite-to-places-that-promote-humanity), and emphasizing social involvement (Brown and Mairesse, 2018). Even the word ‘museum’ has been scrutinized, as they are now seen as key players in social issues such as environment and climate change, migration and integration, digital democracy, cities and urban development, food and health (see: https://www.nightshift010.nl/the-social-role-of-museums-by-graham-black/) The ICOM in 2019 also raised this (see: https://icom.museum/en/news/icom-announces-the-alternative-museum-definition-that-will-be-subject-to-a-vote/). This was especially seen as the majority of museums supported the global community’s well-being by diversifying their offers online during the COVID-19 lockdown, accross all other sectors (see: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/mapping-covid19-global-recession-worst-in-150-years-by-kenneth-rogoff-2020-04). This does not come without its problems as museums around the world are facing major challenges especially during the crisis caused by the pandemic; many of them had to cut their budgets for the upcoming year and had to downsize, while others are facing permanent closure (see: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/mapping-covid19-global-recession-worst-in-150-years-by-kenneth-rogoff-2020-04).

To try and compensate for the lack of resources, cultural institutions in general and museums in particular can create volunteering programs and community councils. Volunteering programs can help recruit young enthusiasts, train them and use their expertise during times of crisis and to fill in where it is needed. After the Beirut explosion and due to the absence of such programs within museums, a group of trained students in Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage Management from the University of Balamand advanced to help the most affected museums starting with the Sursock Museum, then moving to the AUBM (see: http://www.aub.edu.lb/articles/Pages/archaeological-museum-beirut-blast.aspx). Community councils are another way museums are involving and engaging their communities and making them an equal partner in its decision making and in creating and shaping its mission. Including representatives of major businesses, institutions of higher education, government, and local agencies, these programs can aid the museum in locating and releasing funds and serve as ambassadors for these institutions spreading awareness by conveying their messages, especially in times of need. (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut)

Having plans and partners to deal with crises such as this can help mitigate the worst outcomes. Several local and international organizations have organized training programs on the preservation of a threatened heritage and how museums can best prepare for emergencies. One was organized in 2013 by a Lebanese NGO, Biladi History and Nature, in collaboration with the Red Cross and the Lebanese Army (see: http://biladi.org/2019/08/07/work-field-2-heritage-protection), and another training was jointly organized in 2015 by UNESCO Beirut Office in collaboration with the Lebanese National Committee of ICOM, on “Museum Emergency Preparedness” (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut). Having such plans in place can help museums mobilize staff and volunteers to act during catastrophes, and spread information about the heritage under threat.

The way forward would be to open up to the young generation by giving them a role in the decision making while also including new expertise and set of skills, offering new training opportunities and implementing new alternative partnerships. This new generation of museum professionals can pave the way towards a more inclusive and socially active museum, capable of facing new challenges. Once the paths between the community and its museum are open and accessible, the museum can then reaffirm its social role, certainly by mediating the community’s identity and its memory. (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut)

For museums are not simply repositories for objects and valuable art pieces but can play a key role in helping communities remember their past and envision their future. Keeping the scars left by the explosion and to document the event that has now become part of the collective memory is an essential step in the healing process. Children’s programs such as those offered by both the AUBM and PM can be utilized now more than ever to promote the importance of the preservation of cultural heritage, and offer a safe space for children and adults alike to express their feelings and process the negative experience they had to endure as a way of reconciling with the traumatic past. (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut)

Exhibiting relics from revolutions and political movements should be part of their permanent installations. Something like this is already done at the NMB, where visitors are invited to watch a documentary entitled ‘Revival’ that tells the story of the museum and its collection as they were being ‘rediscovered’ and restored after the Lebanese War. Moreover, exhibited in one of the display cases on the first floor is a conglomerate of metal, ivory, stone, and terracotta—objects that were in storage during the war and all melted together due to a fire thus fusing into one object; instead of tossing it away or keeping it in storage, the NMB displayed it so visitors can see the damage of the war on the collections (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). Museums can use objects such as this as a reminder of both the conflict itself and of the vulnerability of cultural heritage. (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut)

This article focused on how the August explosion affected the cultural heritage in Beirut through its museums, a sector that has been largely absent from conversations in the aftermath of the blast (see: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-faces-stiffest-challenge-yet-after-devastating-beirut-explosion/2020/08/15/51efdae4-d59c-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html). This absence is in large part due to the erosion of a common Lebanese identity and shared heritage over the past decades, made worse by a museum community that has preferred to isolate itself intellectually and socially from the general population. While these are systemic issues  whose roots can be traced back to 19th and 20th century orientalism (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/), our focus here has been on modern times. In the 1990s, through the work of SOLIDERE, politicians and development planners brought about the destruction of Beirut’s heritage and archaeological sites under the guise of “rebuilding” the city, all the while working with local and international archaeologists, and under the supervision of UNESCO (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/). Whatever escaped this destruction was not fully protected by Lebanese laws, which remain outdated and incomplete. (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/)

The economic collapse that has been plaguing the country for almost a year resulted in further budget cuts, leaving the cultural sector stranded and with little to no help when the latest disaster struck. Now the international community (UNESCO, ICOM, ALIPH, Blue Shield, etc.) is once again planning to assist in rescuing and rebuilding Beirut (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut). But although all efforts are essential after this disaster, we urge caution not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Rather, it is necessary to put aside a colonial narrative that seems to have no exit, for one that will allow for a sustainable and locally-owned management of future projects. (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/)

Finally, we should avoid taking away the wrong lessons from this event. Threats to museums and sites can happen anywhere, as the result of everything from fire (Brazil’s Museo Nacional, France’s Notre Dame) to natural disasters (Port-au Prince in Haiti, Japan’s historical and archaeological sites), to social uprisings (Egypt’s Tahrir Square) and even terrorism (the World Trade Center in New York City housed a large collection of fine art), and not all contingencies can be anticipated. At minimum, museums should do their best to maintain up to date inventories of their possessions so that if items do disappear only to show up later on the antiquities market, their return is straightforward under the provisions of the UNESCO 1970 Convention, of which Lebanon is a signatory. But these events should in no way serve as support of a colonialist (and orientalist) view that Lebanon cannot preserve and manage its ‘antiquities’ (see: https://en.unesco.org/news/training-seminar-museum-emergency-preparedness-unesco-beirut). Rather the international, national, and local communities must continue to work together to support efforts to safeguard collections and expand the human relationships that make museums meaningful to the communities in which they reside (see: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/).

Conclusion

The model presented in this research highlights the evolution of information technology in higher education in Lebanon. It is definitely the force that has changed many aspects of the way we live and learn. The methods of instruction in fields such as medicine, tourism, business, law, banking, engineering and architecture have impacted ICT across the country and vice versa. The way these fields function today is the way they will mold our future society (see: http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Beirut/pdf/book1.pdf). However, when one looks at education, there seems to be an influence of these fields on how educators are willing to communicate their knowledge to their students. Thus, this can help  us now enhance tourism, through valorizing resources (see: https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/GEIS2016-Background-document.pdf). Yet, pertaining to Lebanon; this 2016 article ought to be revised as well, for its suggestions on Economic Development (see: https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/GEIS2016-Background-document.pdf) . It was revealed that foreign exchange bureaus in Lebanon have a high level of awareness regarding money laundering operations, their associated risks and how to avoid, prevent and combat them, we concluded that the majority of these companies had already detected money laundering operations, but only a minority notified the authorities of such operations, while more than a quarter of these companies had already participated intentionally or not in money laundering operations This has impeded on both sustainability and on economic development, including valorizing natural or cultural artefacts (see: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wtnm20/current).

Finally, the adoption of a proactive immigration policy with a very committed Lebanese diaspora would actively contribute to sustainable development, a must in improving tourism. Alas, without fighting the corruption of the Lebanese political elite, without stopping net money laundering transactions, or terrorist acts, and without finding a solution to the contradictory political agendas one will never reach the sustainable development, or even find a solution to the economic crisis hitting the country hard. That said, the statement requires a framework to strengthen national ties with the diaspora and better prepare future generations for global markets. Finally, harnessing the lobbying power of Lebanon would be an excellent driver for effective implementation within the sector. But the diaspora before lost all confidence will not pour any penny until this mafia is not removed (see: https://libnanews.com/effets-des-crises-consecutives-au-liban-sur-lefficacite-des-marches-financiers-et-le-blanchiment-dargent-discuter-des-differents-obstacles-au-passage-dune-economie-rentiere-a-une-economie-de-pr/)