Libya expecting 10 million tourists

Libya, which is emerging from three decades of isolation, is expecting more than 10 million tourists to spend holidays in the North African country in 2015, its tourism minister said yesterday.

That bold target would represent a boom for Libya's tourism as it compares with less than one million currently.

"Libya plans to receive more than 10 million tourists in 2015," said Ammar Mabrouk Letaief, extolling the country's historic heritage, pristine Mediterranean beaches and peaceful oases in the vast Sahara.

Mr Letaief was attending a conference on tourism in Tunisia. "Libya is determined to become one of Africa's leading tourism destinations in the coming years because of its historic heritage and the government's bold program," he told Reuters in an interview.

Libya offers tourists ancient Roman and Greek ruins, prehistoric desert sites and a fledgling scuba diving business along its 2,000 kilometre-long Mediterranean coastline, he added, citing the country's closeness to Europe as another advantage.

The government is reviving the tourism industry, building new hotels and giving incentives for local tour operators and travel business, as Libya has been returning to world mainstream politics after it abandoned its prohibited arms program in 2003 following international isolation and ostracism.

"We are striving to lure investments in the tourism sector," Mr Letaief said, adding that investment in tourism reached €3 billion in recent years.

Meanwhile, Libya plans to improve the country's infrastructure and further open the market to private investors to spur the industry's expansion, he said.

Mr Letaief said Libya plans to increase cooperation with Tunisia, France and Portugal, including training to develop the skills of its workers.