This study explores how the host community of
Lebanon perceives the effects of tourism and how
they react to the globalized, stereotypical and
touristic representations of their land, heritage
and culture. The process is studied from two general
perspectives; the abstract image as portrayed in
tourism brochures and their manifestations at the
lived and crude realities. Lefebvre’s spatial triad
was applied as a framework as this gave the
opportunity to study the division of local tourism
players based on the space they occupy in society,
and the symbolic and imaginary nature of spatial
formations.
Findings came close to several studies on the
effects of tourism that all point to social
differences based on background, education,
perceived costs and benefits of tourism, and
political and demographic position in the society.
Yet, stating this falls short of acknowledging the
difficulty of reaching consensus on what images
represents Lebanon as a tourism destination, and the
contest of power and recognition rooted in the
political situation. The study also draws
implications for marketing and image creation from
the results.