The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) World Tourism Barometer shows that the number of tourists visiting the Middle East plummeted 18% during the first four months of the year. The UN group attributes the sharp decrease to a decline in the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia. The UNWTO report said “Globally, tourism fell by eight per cent in the first four months of the year, continuing the trend that emerged in the second half of 2008.”
The report said only Africa went against the trend of falling tourist numbers with a 5% increase. Europe and the Middle East were the hardest hit regions with 10% and 18% drops respectively. Asia Pacific had a 6% decline, far below previous growth figures. Oceania fell 4% and South Asia had the sharpest drop at 12%. Results in the Americas were more mixed but overall tourist numbers fell 5%.
Located in Nejmeh Square (nejmeh means star, and is so named because the six roads converging on the square resemble a star) in Downtown Beirut, the Solidere Clock Tower is an iconic symbol of Beirut. It dates from the French Mandate and is one of the few historic structures that remain intact in Downtown. The tower managed to survive the civil war relatively unscathed. Other than the clock...
Located in the Bankenviertel (financial district), this building is an architectural success and holds the title of tallest building in the European Union. When it was completed in 1997, it was also the tallest building in Europe but was surpassed by the Triumph Palace in Moscow in 2005. With 56 stories and 259 meters, it holds 121,000 square meters of office space for Commerzbank. Address: ...
Situated in Holmen District, the opera house was inaugurated in 2005 and is known was the world’s most modern opera houses in the world with state-of-the-art sound systems. There is a joint Café and restaurants, surrounded by water from three sides, for the entertainment of the tourists. Address: Danneskiold-Samøes Allé {loadposition ...
The place is regarded as a pure representative preserving the epitome of Australian art, culture and architecture. The place whole heartedly greets visitors from all countries with extreme zeal and hospitality. Apart from national art promoting centers the place also provides an exceptional opportunity to artists of diverse nationalities and backgrounds to display their works in front of various n...