In this Christmas season, despite the distant echoes of bombardments in South Lebanon, the Nour family is preparing to celebrate the holiday with unwavering determination and joy. Georges Nour, his wife Hala, their children and the entire family will gather in their family home, “Beit Nour,” which also serves as a guesthouse. In this space, rich with history and memories, the family strives to maintain a spirit of festivities and resilience, demonstrating their ability to find light even in the darkest of times.
In an interview with This Is Beirut, Georges Nour recounted the inspiring story of his family home which has been decorated for Christmas celebrations despite the escalating security situation in South Lebanon. Beit Nour, located in the charming port of Tyre, is a house steeped in over 250 years of history and was renovated by the fourth generation of the Nour family in 2010. Transformed into a guesthouse in July 2019 after a decade of renovations, Beit Nour started welcoming guests, offering accommodation for six to nine people in three of the 10 available rooms. Each room, designed to accommodate two to three people, combines the charm of the old with modern comfort, providing visitors with an authentic and unique experience. Despite Tyre’s touristic appeal, having attracted more than 600,000 visitors this summer, Beit Nour faced the same challenges as many other local establishments, particularly due to the lack of reservations during the holiday period. These difficulties arose despite considerable investments in infrastructure, made without government support.
Georges Nour expressed disappointment at this situation but also demonstrated remarkable resilience. He sees the war in Gaza and its repercussions in South Lebanon as factors having a significant impact on tourism but remains optimistic about the future. He emphasizes the importance for Lebanese not to be dominated by fear and to continue living with courage and determination. Beit Nour aspires to be a symbol of this resilience, welcoming visitors from various backgrounds to share and celebrate the rich culture and history of Tyre.
