The Local Working Group
§ A. Kader Alameddine, El Mina Mayor § Dr. Jean Touma (El Mina
Municipality Media Officer) § Abdallah Jobor, President of the
Tourism Committee (El Mina Municipality) § Fida Americani, School of Tourism
(UOB)§ Munim Alameddine, President,
Order of Engineers § Judith Ashkar, Art Workshop
Founder, Painter
§ Amal Iaali, GIS Expert § Tony Bando, Technical Support § Samer Annous, ABAAD
Association§ Robert Ayoub and Mohamad
Sultan, Representatives of Restaurant Owners in the Old Town § Sana Helweh, Journalist and Social
Activist§ Omar A Wahab, Rami Assad, Rim
Jundi and Rania Assad (Project Assistants)
MED-PACT
First Meeting of the Local Working Group 24 February 2007§ Collecting all the data available (studies carried out by
UOB, University of Kaslik, LAU, and Lebanese University) in addition to the information from the Chamber of Trade and Commerce. § Discussing the procedure that should be followed for
the SWOT analysis.§ Developing the SWOT analysis questionnaire
(focusing on practicality but comprehensibility) § Identifying major stakeholders
MED-PACT
Results of the SWOT Analysis/ Strengths • An attractive pedestrian
zone for people who seek historical sights and simple lifestyle. Historical mosques, churches, and buildings- Cultural Heritage
• Local Community (Multi-religious and diverse, open-minded, hospitable)
MED-PACT
Results of the SWOT Analysis/ Strengths • High rate of local trade in
terms of grocery stores and vegetables, fruits, and fish commerce and recently restaurants, cafes and pubs
• New paving of the old town + lighting of the roads
• Minot Street- A Success Story
MED-PACT
Results of the SWOT Analysis/ Strengths • MC fully supportive and
trying to preserve the old town’s cultural heritage.
• It is the center of the old city which plays a great role as an attraction for tourists and even for the locals. The ambience of a town inside the city
MED-PACT
Results of the SWOT Analysis/ Weaknesses • Poor infrastructure • Lack of professional staff
in the Municipality • Absence of a strategic
plan for the city • Minimal financial
resources • High unemployment rate• Absence of budget and
average accommodation
MED-PACT
Results of the SWOT Analysis/ Weaknesses • No signs, maps, or
guides to assist visitors- Limited market access
• Bureaucracy • Resentment of some
locals
MED-PACT
Results of the SWOT Analysis/ Opportunities • Tourism Potential • Old pedestrian path • Developing small
scale businesses (bed and breakfast, pubs, artisan shops, etc.)
• Local (Banks & NGO’s) and EU funds
MED-PACT