Beirut: A young Lebanese entrepreneur is encouraging international visitors to discover Lebanon’s Christian heritage, historic religious sites and natural beauty despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Antonio El Helou, 22, founded Lebanon Faith Tours in 2023 when he was just 19. Through the initiative, he guides individuals and groups, mainly from abroad, to important Christian sites across the country, hoping to show visitors a side of Lebanon that often receives less attention than the violence reported in the media.
For Helou, the initiative is about more than organising sightseeing trips. He wants visitors to experience the spiritual significance of Lebanon’s religious heritage and connect with the communities that continue to live their faith at these sacred places.
He believes that churches and monasteries should not be viewed simply as historic buildings, but as places where faith remains part of everyday life.
Lebanon has one of the highest proportions of Christians among countries in the Middle East, although exact population figures are unavailable. Its Christian communities have roots stretching back around 2,000 years, earning the country the name “Land of the Saints”. The Lebanese presidency is constitutionally reserved for a Maronite Catholic.
However, the continuing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has severely affected the country. In response to the security situation, Lebanon Faith Tours limits its visits to areas north of Beirut, which are generally considered safer than the conflict affected southern regions.
Helou encourages people not to let reports of war prevent them from considering a visit, while emphasising that his tours are restricted to places he considers safe.
He says Lebanon offers a distinctive combination of history, culture and natural beauty that visitors may not find elsewhere.
One of his favourite destinations is the tomb of St Charbel Makhlouf in Annaya, a mountain village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded by pine trees, the site is an important part of the country's Christian heritage and attracts visitors interested in its religious significance.
Beyond its churches and monasteries, Helou also wants visitors to appreciate Lebanon's varied landscape. Despite covering only about 10,000 square kilometres, the country has Mediterranean beaches as well as mountains whose peaks are covered in snow.
For those unable to travel to Lebanon, he shares videos on Instagram featuring religious sites, natural landscapes and Christian processions. Through these recordings, he hopes to introduce the country's heritage and beauty to a wider international audience.
Although his online videos help people discover Lebanon from a distance, Helou believes that visiting in person offers a deeper experience.
He says modern life often moves too quickly, leaving people with little time to rest, reflect and reconnect with their faith. Through visits to monasteries and time spent in nature, he hopes travellers will find opportunities for prayer, reflection and an encounter with Jesus.
According to Helou, visitors frequently tell him that their experiences in Lebanon have changed their lives in some way.
Through Lebanon Faith Tours, he hopes to ensure that the country's identity is not defined solely by conflict, but also recognised through its Christian communities, centuries of religious history, welcoming landscapes and opportunities for spiritual renewal.