STORY: Lebanese island offers affordable summer getaway for sea lovers with limited budget
DATELINE: July 24, 2023
LENGTH: 00:05:11
LOCATION: SIDON, Lebanon
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of people in the sea
2. various of people on the island
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOUNIR KASSIR, Visitor to the island
4. various of people on the island
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): KHALIL SONBOL, Owner of a boat
6. various of the island
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): IBRAHIM BOUJI, Owner of a fish kiosk
 
STORYLINE:
 
Lebanon's economic crisis prompted the Lebanese to look for escapes that suit their budget and allow them to spend quality time with their families.
 
Among these places is a hidden gem in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon called el Zireh Island, where people visit from different parts of the country to enjoy sunny beach days at a cost of only 150,000 Lebanese pounds per person for a transport service to reach the island.
 
Young people and families seek summer refuge on the island where they practice their swimming hobby for free at a time when it has become impossible for them to access private pools due to the insane rise in entry fees in light of the collapse of the national currency.
 
Mounir Kassir, a visitor to the island, told Xinhua the island is clean, encouraging him to visit it frequently instead of visiting private resorts.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOUNIR KASSIR, Visitor to the island
"Visiting resorts is very expensive for us, as citizens of Sidon. The Zireh Island is very proper, and we were surprised it was improved correctly this year. It is similar to worldwide islands.  We encourage everyone to come to Sidon to visit us. The water is spotless, and the prices are low. You can spend a day here with your family for 150,000 Lebanese pounds. The sea is beautiful, clean, and proper."
 
Contrary to private resorts in the country, the island management allows people to bring their food, drinks, and hookahs without having to buy food from kiosks in the area.
 
Khalil Sonbol, the owner of a boat that transports people to Zireh, told Xinhua the island is receiving a significant number of visitors this year, not only from Lebanon but also from Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): KHALIL SONBOL, boat owner  
"This is the first year we see good demand for people to visit this island as the weather is sweltering this year. The weather is bizarre this year, prices are acceptable and low, and the water is spotless. We receive visitors not only from Sidon but everywhere from the mountains, Iraqis, Egyptians, and Jordanians."
 
For his part, Ibrahim Bouji, owner of a fish kiosk, told Xinhua the island this year is receiving a large number of people, including foreigners to whom he serves his fish dishes and traditional Arabic platters of eggplant and hummus.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): IBRAHIM BOUJI, Owner of a fish kiosk
"This season is excellent. Our work was impacted in the past by Coronavirus and the bad economic situation. This year, the season is good, thank God. We are receiving foreigners. We are receiving foreigners in Zireh, and we serve them fish, potato, cauliflower, salad, eggplant, and hummus; we serve good-quality food."
 
El Zireh island is among the most beautiful natural landmarks in Lebanon. It includes a sandy beach frequented by children and another rocky beach for young people passionate about jumping in the water.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sidon, Lebanon.
(XHTV)