BOMBS OVER SKIING: Middle East crisis stalls Lebanese ski tours
Skier: Robin Fagerli, Location: Bcharré
|
In mid-July, when Israel launched a massive assault on Southern Lebanon, it effectively dashed recent hopes of extending the globalization of skiing to the Middle East.
Bombings occurred just days after Crystal Holidays, the UK’s largest ski tour operator, announced its new plans to offer package deals to Faraya Mzaar, Lebanon’s largest ski resort.
Crystal suspended its offer until the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office rescinds its warning against all non-essential travel to Lebanon.
“If they give us the green light we’ll go and offer it again,” says Crystal public relations manager Marion Telsnig. “Somehow I don’t think it will happen this winter.”
Explore, another British tour operator that had offered Lebanese history and culture-based trips in the past, also had plans to offer short-break tours to the mountains for the first time. They too postponed their offer.
Ben Westwood, spokesman for Explore, said Lebanon offered a robust cultural and historical experience, as well as great skiing. He said they created the tours due to a demand for more exotic tours intended for weekend warriors, not just ‘extensive adventurists.’
“Britons are looking to go further afield for shorter times these days,” says Westwood. “They’ve been to Venice and Amsterdam and now they’re looking for new and exciting adventures.”
Skier Peder Omtvedt Jenssen, 360, Location: Faraya
|
-- Show Comments --
+ Add Comment