Tourism in Lebanon

The stage is readied ahead of the opening night of Baalbeck International Festival, which takes places next Friday. (John Owens for VOA News)

A field in Lebanon's mountainous, and beautiful, Akkar region. Many governments advise against travel to the region due to its proximity to Syria. (John Owens for VOA News)

One of Lebanon's many mountain trails. The trails are part of a new drive to promote Lebanon's rural tourism offer. (John Owens for VOA News)

Unsold guidebooks to Baalbek. From 2010 to 2014 the number of tourists visiting Lebanon has dropped 40%. (John Owens for VOA News)

Visitor numbers to Baalbek are down as tourists stay away from the region in the wake of the Syrian war. (John Owens for VOA News)

A tour guide shows Danish engineer Hans Brink (second from left) and a colleague around the Roman ruins. (John Owens for VOA News)