CIFA: Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Lebanon

CIFA: Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Lebanon is a proactive agent in sustainable tourism by fostering economic benefits for host communities, both for the protection of Lebanon’s natural and cultural resources. This is what led the founders of TLB Destinations to establish CIFA – Centre pour l’Incorporation par la Formation et l’Activite in 2005 to promote responsible tourism and employment in Lebanon. CIFA has emerged as a pioneer in training, conservation, and rural development since its inception. It has enabled tourism to be beneficial both for the tourists and for the local population.

How CIFA Was Founded

CIFA was launched by TLB Destinations, which is one of the top tour operators in the Middle East focusing on adventure and cultural programs, with the French SAPAEF 94 in their efforts to integrate tourism with sustainable development. For the travel industry in Lebanon to flourish, it is imperative that the environment and people are taken care of. It is CIFA’s bridge mission to train the unemployed in remote areas, incorporate the rural population into tourism, and promote tourism in a responsible manner.

Role of CIFA in Sustainability Program

CIFA: Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Lebanon implements and supports sustainability in several areas. A few are mentioned below:

• Tour Leader Training: CIFA offers adequate tourist guides training programs that promote responsible tourism, ecological conservation, and heritage preservation. This enables them to inspire and teach travelers the importance of taking care of the environment.

• Community Engagement: Integration of locally owned accommodation facilities, restaurants, and transportation services into the tourism programs is made possible by CIFA working with rural communities. This ensures the travelers get genuine Lebanese experiences while servicing the local economy.

• Environmental Awareness: Through advocacy and training efforts, CIFA strives to promote eco-friendly travel behavior and sustainable resource use in Lebanon. They work through partnerships with other organizations which helps create less impact on the environment.

Long-Term Impact

CIFA contributes greatly towards the environmental preservation of the tourism sector in Lebanon by ensuring economic sustainability. Addressing the issue of unemployment in Lebanon, CIFA invests a lot of resources in responsible tourism, which positively impacts CIFA’s environmental assets. Additionally, CIFA is focused on the community and tourism’s contribution to the local people, which motivates the conservation of culture and nature.

Still within the TLB Destinations frame, through CIFA, it has been possible to prove commitment towards sustainable tourism. CIFA is contributing to a future where tourism in Lebanon is sustainable through its social, economic, and ecological investments in community, culture, and the environment.

For those planning to explore Lebanon, you can check the current weather conditions here.