Lebanon says 2009 was best on record for tourism

Lebanon says 2009 was best on record for tourism

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Tourism Ministry says about 1.9 million tourists came to Lebanon in 2009, the highest number of visitors to come to the mountainous Arab nation ever. The new figure exceeds those from the time before Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war, when Beirut was dubbed the “Paris of the Middle East.” Figures released recently show that 1,851,081 tourists visited Lebanon in 2009, a 39 percent increase from the previous year. The 2009 number is the highest ever and broke the 1974 record of 1.4 million tourists, the ministry reported.

Caesars launching iPhone app, mobile check-in

LAS VEGAS — Casino officials at Caesars Palace say they are launching a new iPhone app and allowing guests to check into the Las Vegas Strip resort through text messaging. Casino operator Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. says the new application and check-in system will debut this month. The iPhone app includes a customizable electronic postcard, resort information and the hotel’s Twitter feed.

Three snow virgins win Colorado vacations

DENVER — People who have never experienced snow before are about to get their chance.

The Colorado Tourism Office announced three winners from its “Snow at First Sight” contest: Trevor Allison, 21, from Atlanta, Ga., Deena Bright, 30, from Hawaii, and Ruchu Adhikary, 25, from Melbourne, Australia.

Applicants were asked to submit videos explaining why they should win. The three winning snow virgins get an expenses-paid, three-month trip to Colorado from January through March. With help from local instructors and guides, contest winners will sample winter activities such as snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding, the all-important apr s-ski cocktail hour, maybe even ice climbing — then post on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter about it.

For more details, visit www.SnowAtFirstSight.com.

Associated Press

JFK airport runway to be shut down for four months

NEW YORK — The largest runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport will be shut down in March for renovations.

Airport officials say the runway will be closed for four months. The runway handles one-third of JFK’s total air traffic, including more than half of its departures.

During repairs, there will be fewer flights on carriers like Delta and JetBlue, according to The New York Times.

The shutdown could increase delays, but airport and airline officials insist there won’t be any major problems. They say that in the long run, the renovations will help reduce delays.

The repairs will include widening the runway, replacing its asphalt surface with concrete, and updating lighting and electrical systems.