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Subscribe to RSSAs temperatures rise in Libya hundreds of people are making their way to the coast and enjoying beaches that were previously exclusively for members of the former regime. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.
Libya has all it takes to become a vacation paradise: 1,300 miles of palm-fringed coastline, five world-class cultural heritage sites and an attractive historic quarter in Tripoli featuring fine colonial buildings.
What is doesn’t have, though, is tourists.
But following the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, there are plenty of reasons for hotels and tour operators to be optimistic.
Alexandre Meneghini / AP, file
One of the (mostly empty) beaches in Tripoli is seen in this file photo.
Soaked in sun, the country's position at the meeting point of the desert landscape of the Sahara and the Mediterranean makes it ideal for trekking and windsurfing.
Libya's extraordinary history and ancient archaeological riches -- it boasts five United Nations world cultural heritage sites, including the remains of the Roman Empire outpost Leptis Magna and the Greek Hellenic city of Cyrene -- are its primary attractions.
It was off-limits for decades as a pariah state thanks to Gadhafi’s involvement in global terrorism, but a thaw in relations with Western countries saw a 14 per cent rise in visitor numbers between 2006 and 2010 and a 30 per cent jump in hotel revenue over the same period from $49 million to $65 million, according to analysts Euromonitor.
'Big expectations'
That tourism renaissance was all but destroyed by the Arab Spring uprising and subsequent civil war, but there are hopes it could resume and emulate the success of other recovering war zones: the New York Times three years ago named Beirut as its number one global destination.
In Tripoli, the Rixos Al Nasr hotel -- where journalists were trapped during last August’s fierce fighting –- is open and full of guests, and its owners say they have “big expectations” in the coming months.
One small group is this week exploring the country on a trip organized by Political Tours, a specialist firm run by former New York Times Balkans correspondent Nicholas Wood, while managers at Simoon Travel, a British operator that organizes tours of the Middle East and North Africa, are visiting later this month with a view to restarting its Libya itineraries.
“We are optimistic because reports suggest most of the monuments and ancient sites have been left undamaged by the NATO bombing,” Simoon’s managing director Amelia Stewart told msnbc.com. “It is such a fascinating and diverse country and we would like to offer trips once it is safe enough to do so.”
Youssef Boudlal / Reuters, file
A view of Leptis Magna, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Mediterranean coast, some 75 miles east of Tripoli.
Access to the country is slowly improving following the end of NATO airstrikes that drove out Gadhafi’s regime: United Airlines partner British Midland International resumes direct flights to Tripoli from London Heathrow later this month, while British Airways will return to the city from May 1.
Libya begins battle to seize $20 billion in Gadhafi assets
Business travelers still account for the majority of visitors as the oil industry returns, but huge problems remain. The ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) is struggling to impose its authority on a country awash with weapons and militias have stepped into the vacuum, carving the country into local fiefdoms.
“Each area has its own guys who consider themselves in charge, which creates a huge security problem,” Wood said. “That lack of co-ordination, added to bureaucracy, makes Libya a very difficult place to visit for the time being.”
Many Western hotel chains that opened in anticipation of a tourism boom remain closed for the time being. The Marriott in Tripoli is not accepting reservations, while a spokeswoman for New York-based Starwood Hotels said it did not yet have a reopening date for its Four Points by Sheraton in the city.
Goran Tomasevic / REUTERS
An uprising in Libya ousts dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Mustafa Özbinici, spokesman for the Turkish owners of the Rixos Al Nasr, said: “Libya is a intact country tourism-wise, with 2,200 kilometers [1,367 miles] of sea shore, so we believe that it will be a good development in long term. We have big expectations with Libya.
A year on, Libyans enjoy freedoms but anxieties abound
“However, there are some difficulties still remaining, especially the process of reorganization. As a company, we are trying to support people of Libya during this hard time including the injured people and their families.”
The threat of sporadic violence has also pushed up the cost of travel insurance, putting tours firmly into the "niche" market: Simoon’s cheapest package starts at about $2,000. “We will have security staff with us,”Wood added.
Tourism ministers from across the Middle East will meet on April 30 for a special summit between the Arabian Travel Market and the World Tourism Organization to drive forward tourism in the wake of the Arab Spring.
“Prior to the onset of violence, the government had finally developed a Tourism Master Plan for 2009-2013, with some vision expressed about the much longer-term, through to 2025,” Nadejda Popova, tourism analyst with Euromonitor, told msnbc.com.
Christian war graves desecrated in Libya
“Investment started pouring into the country’s travel and tourism industry, with more than six 5-star hotels planned in Tripoli as well as ambitious development plans for airports, ports, roads and rail projects linking Libya to its neighbors. However, the future is now uncertain and Libya’s travel and tourism industry is expected to suffer losses for at least another two years. There is a great deal of reconstruction needed, and efforts will be geared towards getting the country back on its feet before engaging in more tourism developments.”
Without a government strategy for the industry, growth is likely to be slow. Tourism and leisure has never accounted for than one per cent of consumer spending in Libya, compared to the global average of 16 per cent, according to Popova.
But one thing seems certain: Libya is unlikely to follow north African neighbors such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco into mass tourism. “I doubt it will ever have resorts like Sharm el-Sheikh,” said Stewart. “Libya has always been careful to ensure it doesn’t end up with an industry catering for those wanting sun and cheap booze.”
'There will be no alcohol'
Her view was echoed by the Giuma Bukleb, media attaché to the Libyan Embassy in London. He told msnbc.com: “We will never be like other countries with lots of big resort hotels, and there will be no alcohol. We want to encourage people to see our heritage sites.”
The commander of Libya's rebel force says Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is sheltering weapons at Leptis Magna, a major Roman-era ruins on the civil war-ravaged nation. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.
He added: “We are very keen to welcome tourists but maybe the time is not right just now. We have to get the country back on its feet first.”
Sarkozy denies Gadhafi gave his campaign $65 million
There are other practical hurdles: visitors must still apply in advance for a visa, rather than making arrangements on arrival as is the case in Egypt. And most countries, including the United States, require travelers to inform their local embassy in Libya about their trip.
“Libya has such incredible potential but there is a long way to go,” Wood said.
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Leave a Comment:
David in Kenosha WI
Where in this Liberal written article did it say anything about conservatives? Your hate is showing. I went there in 1966 thru 19968 a couple weeks at a time. Paid for by the USAF. We had a base right outside of Tripoli. Wheelus AFB. The Med was great to swim in. Would never pay to go there. The place smelled like dead camel as that is what hung in the open air markets. Heat was extreme.
yes - a beautiful to visit, but get out of line and they will stone you to death. Either that or chop off some body part, as per their custom...
Lybia....hummm...naw; I don't think so.
I am impressed by this "punks" propaganda!!! Come to Lybia for the summer (you can chose who you want to fight for and you may be able to chose who you will get shot by...)
Oh... don't forget to bring your AK-47 and/or your M-16 too!!! If you have any balistic missiles or nukes, bring them too!!! Also, let us know in advance if you want to be assasinated by hte FRENCH FOREIGH LEGION in Bengazi or in Sirte, just like Khadaffi was...
THIS WAS THE MOST STUPID ARTICLE I HAVE EVER SEEN ONLINE... An invitation to spend your 2 weeks summer vacation in HELL!!! We all know the Lybians are still fighting, the country may split up, there may be a civil war soon, yet some IDIOTS would like to take your hard dollars and send you to a WAR ZONE for vacation...
Stupid!!!
They must be running out of infidels to shoot.
Welcome to Sun-Soaked Libya home of the Burka Bikini. We have breakfast at sunrise followed by delightful music, kneeling and mumbling for an hour (RUGS NOT INCLUDED). Then take the family to our exclusive bomb making class followed by another hour of wonderful music, kneeling and mumbling (RUGS NOT INCLUDED). Then it's lunch time were you and you family may or may not be blown up. If you are one of the lucking few who survive head on over to our FREE afternoon beheading or if that's not to your liking, how about a relaxing stoning of one of the local women caught driving. Then after a long day of fun sun we will have another hour of great music, kneeling and mumbling (RUGS NOT INCLUDED) . Nonalcoholic AK-47 drinks are always "free on the house"! Just when you thought it couldn't get much better... think again, we will have our famous BBQ Goat followed by Camel Eye custard. Then relax with the family on our tar filled black beaches with a complimentary sharia law 101, followed by an hour of wonderful music, kneeling and mumbling (RUGS NOT INCLUDED) Night time is always fun to watch the kidnapping entertainment. And then we always top the evening off with fireworks from out 50-millimeter ordnance, with a history dating back to the 14th century, what a great lesson for the kids!!!
"Please note; Jews and Christians are charged a 80% torture tax, women can be subject to afternoon gang rapes"
Thanks! lol
Would love to make a Saturday Night Live infomercial for it!!!!!!
We can laugh about this in USA, but some travel agent in Libya is printing this up as pamphlets right now thinking he's going to make a killing.
That is so true... I was thinking the same thing. It breaks my heart that some guy is trying to make a living and take care of his family thinks this is a way... in 2 years his uncle, who he get the loan from will be beating him to death because it didn't work! They just don't see past their dogma!!
And if you're going to Libya for vacation, be sure to take the kids! On the other hand, try Florida or North Dakota instead. That picture with a woman in a burka at the beach says just about everything you really need to know about Libya right now.
Will women be able to wear bathing suits and be on the same beaches as the men? Looking at the picture with the women clothed in black and covered head-to-toe, I don't think I would want to push my luck in that part of the world. There are plenty of beaches on the North and South American Continents.
Nothing attractive about a wasteland, too much heat and women wearing burka's and fully clothed children swimming. It is just too odd. I'll stick to the beauty of the USA thank you.
i like the bikinies these girls are wearing !! Get lost!! There are far more beautiful beaches right here in the U.S. & you can take your clothes off without getting stoned to death !!!!
Umm... If I am thinking vacation spot... Libya doesn't even make my top 1000 list of places I would ever visit.
In fact, even if it was a totally free all-expense paid vacation, I still wouldn't take it.
maybe the DNC should have their convention there.
No way. I would rather dodge bullets on a Mexican drug lord's beach than set foot in a Muslim country. Seriously, if you want a beach, we have plenty of excellent ones on the Gulf coast and the people there will appreciate the business and treat you right.
Before Qaddafi, Libya was fairly pro-west, so it will be interesting to see if any of that comes back. Just don't go there expecting Mexico. Libya is much safer at this point in time -- except for the unexploded ordnance left over from the 'spring'.
Seriously? And a horde of women sitting around in black saris and faces covered. Sexy.
Hmmmm HELL NO. American traveling there is bad for the health
Love the first picture of this article. How it shows a women fully shrouded. Talk about laid back! They don't even wear thongs or bikinis hahah
I will book my vacation to Libya right after I return from their main competitor destination.....Hell......
One good reason NOT to go to Libya - Pan Am 103.
I'm considering a trip to Egypt and Israel this year, so it may be logical to take a side trip to Libya to visit the ruins of Leptis Magna or the reknown city of Tobruk. The problem is not so much the security issues as those are improving every day, but rather the desert heat and sand. That is the price of going to the desert to see the wonders of the ancient world.
At this time, such a vacation is just a thought - but for Italians this must be a fascinating opportunity to see these ruins which historically have only populated the literature and imaginations of the Italian people.
Libya is not the top tourist desination for me as I still prefer Thailand, Costa Rica and Spain, but it may be worth a side trip soon. Best of luck to the Libyan people!
If you can just make it to the end of the trip without getting decapitated for offending allah, kidnapped or raped by policeman it will be a great time.
Most of the islamic world wants to "slaughter westerners for allah" and pick your pocket for bucks along the way. Why would you spend money to support people who want to kill you is beyond me.
as long as the tourist don't want to;
ya, some vacation huh, no drinks, no chicks, no parties, no dancing unless it's with other guys, and a population that hates anyone that isn't muslim...a real hot spot huh...I'll sign up right after I have a good time in the middle of Afghanistan and Iran.
Aw, you had me until you said, no alcohol. I wish some of these countries would get out of their conservative crazy stuff and join the modern world.
sure, I can't wait to go there! Let's risk getting blown up in a hotel, not being allowed to have a cold beer, and then get stoned to death or beheaded for not wearing a burkha & covering my head on a 120 degree beach. As long as there are Islamists and extremists they will remain a poor, pathetic and backward country. Key West is closer, cheaper and safer.
Nope, I like beaches where the women wear bikinis and act like women.
When I see a photo of Barry drinking a brew in a beach chair watching Michelle and the kids frolicking in the surf in bikinis...