- Title: Beirut's iconic Phoenicia hotel reopens amid crisis
- Date: 13th October 2022
- Summary: BEIRUT, LEBANON (OCTOBER 7, 2022) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF PHOENICIA HOTEL / TRAFFIC SIGN READING (English): "PHOENICIA" HOTEL EMPLOYEES WELCOMING GUESTS HOTEL EMPLOYEE PLACING LUGGAGE INSIDE THE TRUNK OF A CAR SIGN READING (English): "PHOENICIA BEIRUT. INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS&RESORTS" BEIRUT, LEBANON (OCTOBER 6, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GENERAL MANAGER OF PHOENICIA HOTEL, MANRIQUE RODRIQUEZ, SHOWING PHOTOS OF THE PHOENICIA HOTEL IN A BOOK (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL MANAGER OF PHOENICIA HOTEL, MANRIQUE RODRIQUEZ, SAYING: "95-90 percent of the people I have met in Lebanon, Lebanese, they have something to do with the (Phoenicia) hotel. They got married here, their parents used to come here for diner, baptism of the child, 'I came here to see when (Spanish singer) Julio Iglesias came here' or 'I was invited to a dinner when the King of Spain was staying in the hotel' or 'with (when) (American actor) Marlon Brando was here, I was a kid and I was crazy screaming at the hotel'. So I realised that this is... you have to have respect for this institution. This is an institution and by opening now, we are showing the country that we believe in Lebanon, and believe in the Lebanese people." VARIOUS OF RODRIQUEZ FLIPPING THROUGH BOOK SHOWING PHOTOS OF PHOENICIA HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL MANAGER OF PHOENICIA HOTEL, MANRIQUE RODRIQUEZ, SAYING: "We understand that we represent not only a building, we represent Beirut and its people and that's why we believe in this property and we are very proud of opening back our doors again." BEIRUT, LEBANON (OCTOBER 12, 2022) (REUTERS) PHOTOS IN BOOK SHOWING PHOENICIA HOTEL THROUGHOUT THE YEARS PHOTOS IN BOOK SHOWING CELEBRITIES WHO VISIED PHOENICIA HOTEL THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
- Embargoed: 27th October 2022 13:11
- Keywords: Beirut Lebanon Phoenicia hotel blast crisis hotel tourism
- Location: BEIRUT, LEBANON
- City: BEIRUT, LEBANON
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: Middle East,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001173512102022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Beirut's iconic Phoenicia hotel reopened its doors to the public after more than two years of closure following the damages it witnessed from the August 2020 Beirut port blast.
The October re-opening comes as Lebanon enters the fourth year of a financial collapse, the country's worst crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.
"This is an institution and by opening now, we are showing the country that we believe in Lebanon, and believe in the Lebanese people," general manager of the hotel Manrique Rodriquez said, as he flipped through a book showing photos of Phoenicia hotel throughout the years, including of celebrities who visited.
For most Lebanese, the buildings of the hotel in central Beirut are more than just structures. Phoenicia is considered a landmark of the Lebanese capital, and many have special memories in it.
The historic luxury hotel first opened in 1961. Among many incidents, it survived the 1975-90 civil war, the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri just a few meters away and lastly the August 2020 Beirut blast at the port nearby.
Phoenicia had to close its doors on the three occasions, but resumed hosting guests each time.
"I hope that by opening our hotel... that optimism and hope that we are giving to the country will help others, entrepreneurs and other businesses to go and to take a risk. It's a risk, of course it's a risk, it's a risk, when you open back it's a risk because you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. But if we don't take risks, we don't win and we are winners, we want to win," Rodriquez said.
Lebanon's financial meltdown has severely devalued the country's pound and drained state coffers, pushing 80% of the population into poverty and gutting public services including water and electricity.
One of the three buildings of Phoenicia hotel remains under renovation - but the hotel was already at more than 50% occupancy in its first week of re-opening with many event bookings until the end of the year.
"Phoenicia means Beirut," said Graziella Hanna, a 17-year-employee of Phoenicia hotel, speaking from where she was standing on August 4, 2020 when the blast hit through and injured her.
Hanna underwent treatment for months but was eager to come back to what feels home to her.
"We couldn't wait to open again to see our loyal guests again... they made me forget the trauma that I have to face and see in front of me everyday," she said.
Phoenicia hotel is also considered a favorable place for many foreigners. Among celebrities who visited were late iconic Egyptian singer Oum Kalthoum, French activist and former actress Brigitte Bardot, late American actor Marlon Brando, Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram and various royal figures and heads of states.
(Production: Ahmad Al Kerdi, Mohamed Azakir, Maria Semerdjian, Emilie Madi, Yara Abi Nader) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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