www.dailystar.com. Tourism Minister Ali Abdullah and Sidon MP Bahiya Hariri have launched a new computer-based tourism program aimed at developing the professional and tourism sectors.
The program, dubbed Networks-Lebanon, is jointly sponsored by the Lebanese Tourism Ministry, the Canadian DOT Foundation, the Cisco Systems Foundation, the Hariri Foundation, the Lebanese Central Bank, UNESCO, the YMCA, the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), the Safadi Foundation, the Microsoft company, the Cooperative Housing Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the PCA foundation.
The program, which was launched at one of the historical sites located in Sidon's old city, is aimed at promoting marketing skills through the use of computers.
Speaking at the launch, attended by Jezzine MPs George Najm and Antoine Khoury, the head of the Networks-Lebanon program, Mark Metni, said there were three main issues that the program would focus on: Teaching computer use, training and implementing development projects.
Metni said that there was a team of approximately 21 young men and women who had undergone training and were ready to "mix with the public and come up with creative ideas regarding individual professions for the sake of developing skills through the use of computers."
He predicted that the Networks-Lebanon program would boost the tourism sector in the South significantly.
Abdullah, who spoke next, said that the South had excellent tourism potential.
"The South is also known for the steadfastness of its people and the great value of its archeological sites," he said.
Speaking on the same occasion, Hariri said the program was only a humble project, "But it puts Sidon on track toward tourism marketing as well as a listing on the Tourism Ministry's tourism network," she said.
She added that Sidon's existing tourism resources were not enough. "Tourism is a sophisticated industry that needs development," she stressed.
Abdullah, Hariri and the others later toured the old city in Sidon. They also inspected an old hotel, The Romanos, which was being renovated.
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