Expat businessmen, doctors, lawyers and engineers with valid Saudi residence permits visiting Lebanon can now get entry visas at the airport, Lebanese Consul General Khalil Ahmed told the Saudi Gazette here Monday. The decision is aimed at bolstering tourism, said the consul general. Tourist visas cost the equivalent of between SR130 and SR200, depending on nationality, and are valid for a minimum of 30 days. But the validity of the visa will not exceed the validity of the person's passport and residence permit. The move to ease visa regulations came into effect last month. The earlier practice required certain nationalities to obtain entry permits in advance. According to a circular published on the Lebanese General Security Department (GSD) website, entry visas are being granted to businessmen, directors/general managers, employers, physicians, engineers and lawyers who are legal residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Airlines are responsible for checking the validity of residents' GCC residence visas before transporting travelers, the GSD circular stated. The Arab tourist is the “prime tourist” in Lebanon and preparations have been made to receive tourists during Ramadan, Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud was quoted as saying during a meeting with Arab and Gulf journalists. The majority of Lebanon's tourists come from countries in the Gulf including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait and according to figures released by Global Blue, the VAT refund operator for international shoppers, Saudis were still the biggest spending visitors to the country in the first five months of 2011. __
