The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) named Jbeil - Byblos as the best Arab tourist city in 2013, and felicitated its Mayor Ziad Al-Hawwat for the outstanding achievements he made and in recognition of his pioneering role in the development of the city.
A dinner banquet was held in his honor at Burj Al Arab Hotel Dubai under the patronage of the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Dr. Taleb Rifai, and a number of Arab leaders and representatives of the diplomatic corps.