SUMMARY The Garden Show & Spring Festival closed its doors on Saturday May 27 after five days of open-air fun, entertainment and cheerful spring vibes. Set in Beirut’s iconic Hippodrome, the event welcomed more than 24,000 visitors, garden and outdoor enthusiasts who explored the stands of over 240 exhibitors. The festival showcased a myriad of stunning garden designs and plants in full bloom, the latest in garden furniture and equipment and striking decorative pieces. As the theme of the 2017 edition was “Colors in the Garden,” Bokja Design Studio presented “Playhouse,” a miniature furniture series. Inspired by the classics collection and upholstered in Bokja’s signature patchwork fabric, the items were displayed in a horse trailer to illustrate their outdoor context.

STANDS Gardens: Visitors wandered among beautifully landscaped gardens planted especially for the event. Gardening experts were on hand to give advice on how to create a flourishing balcony, terrace or garden. Participating nurseries: Arbusta, Golden Rose, Roots, Garden Art, Cosanostra, Bonsai, Nature by Marc Beyrouthy Plant Market: Visitors were able to buy colorful and exotic plants at the market. Participants: El Mawassem, Floris, Jardin du Boulevard, Flower zone

Art of Living in the Garden: Furniture, pergolas, umbrellas, barbecues, fabrics and a whole range of small and larger decorative pieces were on sale to brighten up outdoor spaces. Entrance of the show: A unique visual and colorful entrance was landscaped by ARBUTSA.

EVENTS Travel Lebanon: For the fourth consecutive year, the event highlighted the variety of activities circling rural tourism in Lebanon. More than 60 exhibitors promoted attractive packages to discover the country’s vibrant culture and heritage and plan the ultimate summer in Lebanon. Organized with the support of USAID and in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism. Expert Sessions: Garden enthusiasts had the chance to meet with industry experts Kinda Bitar and Marc El Beyrouthy, and learn useful gardening tips through a series of daily workshops and masterclasses. Kinda Bitar Landscape engineer and head of “Ard w Ward” program on Future TV. Marc El Beyrouthy Head of agricultural sciences at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) and anchor of MTV Lebanon’s “Nature” program.

“Dine Under the Tree” - in support of Tamanna Celebrity chefs from L’Academie Nationale de Cuisine prepared special daily menus for visitors. Proceeds from the event were donated to Tamanna. 2 diners were prepared to welcome the top food and lifestyle bloggers in town

A Career in Landscaping: Representatives from universities around the country imparted advice regarding careers in gardening and landscaping. The Farmer’s Market: Visitors were able to taste and buy fresh, traditional and organic food products at the market, which featured Souk el Tayeb’s producers. Taste Lebanon: Food, mood and music defined Taste Lebanon. Diners enjoyed 30 food concepts, offering delicious bites and refreshments, and full music and dance program. Kids’ Village: An array of outdoor activities for youngsters, including daily arts and crafts sessions, stage animation, inflatables and games with C2C, kept children busy for hours.

SUMMARY

Travel Lebanon launched another successful edition at The Garden Show & Spring Festival

Travel Lebanon spotlights the country’s rich tourism at The Garden Show & Spring Festival For the fourth consecutive year, Travel Lebanon came to the heart of Beirut to celebrate the best of the country’s rural areas. The event, which was held concurrently with The Garden Show and Spring Festival (23-27 May), saw more than 60 tour operators, NGOs, associations and municipalities converge at Beirut’s iconic Hippodrome in support of domestic tourism. Visitors were able to explore more than 400 square meters of exhibition space and discover more about Lebanon’s hidden beauty spots as tourism specialists presented their range of exciting packages. A unique program of dabke shows, artisans’ workshops and demonstrations entertained the crowd over five sunny days. “Travel Lebanon” is organized by Hospitality Services sarl, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. The initiative aims to enhance rural tourism activity in Lebanon and contribute to the country’s economic growth by driving investments, creating jobs and economic opportunities.

EVENTS A series of Oriental and Lebanese musical events took place over five days, including:

Handpan by Georges Naime

Special Lebanese dabke performance

Oriental oud with Gilbert

Piano with Linda Halabi

DJ Ralph Zeitoun and the coolest beats

STANDS DISCOVER LEB Ministry of Tourism Development Alternative Inc - DAI Mike Sport Lebanon Mountain Trail Association Footprints Nature Club Vamos Todos Dale Corazon - Lebanon Explorers Touleb Hkili Aan Baladi Souk El Tayeb Tawlet Souk El Tayeb Lebanon Traveler Magazine BEIRUT Papyrus Knit with Love NORTH Hadath El Jebbeh Municipality Pottery Jabbour Maha's Art Center Douma Khan Al Saboun Bader Hassoun Eco village Via Mina Hotel Ehden Adventures Doumanian Coffee shop House of Zejd - Baino Olive Oil Trail Graneroverde Golden Lathe - Bab el Hadid Jabalna ecolodge - Qobayat Azm School for Art & Craft/Azm Zaman Mr. Lemonade

MOUNT LEB Bentael Nature Reserve - Al Hourouf Chahtoul Camping Serouj Handmade Sharewood Camp Shouf Biosphere Reserve Association for the protection of Jabal Moussa (APJM) Comite de Bienfaisance de Jeita Ehmej Development Association Ecotourism Gibran's Lebanon SOUTH Union of Jezzine J.Grove Manale Noujeim Zlebyeh Lebanon Family Planning Association BEKAA Charity Association Rural Development (CARD) Mamlaket Al Lezzeb Wada - Women Association of Deir el Amar Arak Rachid Tanios Touma et Freres Development of Rashaya OTHER Caravane Expo Mouftah El Chark Sophia Maternity Glace Bachir

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