Corinthian Travel has welcomed the FCO’s decision to soften its travel advice for Lebanon, allowing it to return the site - which it says “rivals Petra in its magnificence” - to its itineraries.

Earlier this week, the FCO updated its guidance for Lebanon, removing advice against travel areas in the north and east of the country, including the Bekaa region.

Hugh Fraser, founder of Middle East specialist Corinthian, said the decision returned Baalbek, “one of the world’s most stunning Roman sites”, to the travel map.

“Having languished in a ‘no-go zone’ for years, visitors to Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley can now once again look forward to exploring a site that is the rival of Jordan’s Petra in its magnificence,” said Fraser.

“We have long been advocates of travel to Lebanon and are thrilled by this significant vote of confidence in travel to what we regard as one of the Middle East’s best kept secrets.

“We are in the process of updating our tailor-made itineraries and will shortly be featuring visits to Baalbek on all our suggested programmes.”