Bursa companies exporting hotel furniture to Lebanon: Beirut renovation projects

Bursa is a well-established furniture production center in Türkiye and is home to many manufacturers specializing in hotel, restaurant, office, and commercial furniture. These companies hold a significant share in both the domestic market and international purchases. In recent years, hotel furniture exports, particularly to Lebanon, have become a strategic growth area for Bursa's furniture sector. These exports are rapidly expanding, driven by increasing demand, particularly as a result of renovation projects underway in and around Beirut. Increasing Demand in Lebanon: Beirut Renovation Projects. The massive explosion at the Port of Beirut in 2020 caused significant damage to a large part of the city. Thousands of buildings were damaged, and tourism infrastructure, hotels, accommodations, and commercial spaces in particular, suffered losses and were forced to close. Following this disaster, a reconstruction process began in Lebanon with international support. During this process, plans were made to rebuild and renovate destroyed or damaged hotels. Infrastructure investments were increased to revitalize the tourism sector. Local investors and international hotel chains (especially in the mid- and upper-tier segments) began searching for quality furniture for the renovated facilities. This made Bursa manufacturers attractive suppliers to Lebanese contractors and hotel operators seeking high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable furniture. Advantages of Bursa Companies: Bursa has a long-standing history in furniture production. Companies in the city stand out with the following features: High-quality woodworking technology; the capacity to offer holistic solutions for all needs, including hotel rooms, reception desks, lobby decorations, beds, wardrobes, tables, and chairs; production facilities holding international certifications such as CE, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001; customer-specific design and production (custom-made); competitive prices and short delivery times. These advantages make Bursa companies preferred brands in markets like Lebanon. Contribution to Beirut Renovation Projects: Some Bursa-based companies are actively involved in renovation projects in Beirut, either directly or through local distributors. Specifically: Procurement of all interior furniture to be used in the reconstruction of demolished hotels. Production of custom-designed furniture for boutique hotels and boutique accommodation projects. Bulk deliveries of products such as lobbies, receptions, accommodation rooms, headboards, wardrobes, minibars, tables, and chairs. In these projects, Bursa manufacturers not only offer standard products but also develop designs that are in keeping with Lebanon's architectural texture and blended with Middle Eastern aesthetics. Example Companies and Projects Some leading companies operating in Bursa: Artel Hotel Furniture: Provides custom production for hotel and boutique accommodation projects. Since 2022, it has been involved in the renovation of two boutique hotels in Beirut. Nevşehir Furniture (Bursa Branch): Exports to the Lebanese market with competitive prices and rapid production. In 2023, it supplied all the furniture for a 50-room hotel. Bursa Furniture Manufacturers Organized Industrial Zone (BMOSB): Many companies within the zone are entering the Lebanese market by forming joint export consortiums. Export Process and Support Mechanisms The following factors influence Bursa companies' exports to Lebanon: DEİK Lebanon Trade Branch: Provides the opportunity to find local business partners and meet with buyers. TİGEM (Turkish Exporters' Assembly): Offers market reports, fair support, and export training. KOSGEB SME Export Support: Provides financial support for logistics, marketing, and certification expenses. Logistics: Products are generally loaded onto ships from the Port of Mersin and delivered to Beirut by sea. The average transportation time is 7-10 days. Cultural and Economic Impact Bursa's hotel furniture exports to Lebanon are not only an economic gain but also strengthen Turkey's image of quality and reliability. Turkish manufacturers' fast delivery, use of high-quality materials, and a customer-focused approach create a positive, transparent brand perception among Lebanese investors. This opens doors not only to Beirut but also to neighboring regions such as Syria, Israel, and Cyprus. Conclusion: With its production capacity and export experience in the furniture sector, Bursa has become a production center that significantly contributes to Lebanon's Beirut renovation projects. Companies specializing in hotel furniture, in particular, are gaining a strong foothold in the Lebanese market through both high-quality and flexible project-based production. It is expected that these collaborations will continue to grow in the future, and Bursa will become recognized as a "hotel furniture hub" in the Middle East.