[An Nahar] Beirut ranked 20 in the list of the world's top tourist destinations, the Ministry of Tourism announced on Thursday."Beirut came before Paris, Melbourne, Venice and Barcelona on the list of tourism magazine Conde Nast Traveler," the ministry said in a released statement, noting that the magazine's annual list is based on "its readers' choices."
1.3 million readers participated in this year's vote, according to the same source.
In its feature, the international publication described Beirut as "Paris of the Middle East."
"Beirut has a lot to offer to tourists such as the best restaurants and the most exclusive clubs in the world," it said.