The recent death of Moammar Gadhafi is expected to revive tourism in Libya, though experts say it remains to be seen when the recovery will begin and how extensive it will be.
The travel ban to Libya was lifted in 2004, but the country still remains on the U.S. Department of State’s travel warnings list, most recently updated on September 22, 2011. It’s unclear how long this warning will continue now that the country’s dictator is no longer in power.
While there has not been any violence specifically directed at foreign visitors, the unrest had many government and even tourism operators advising travelers to stay away from the area. As of February 2011, all travel was almost impossible with Libyan governments refusing to issue visas to American tourists.
All that stands to change now that Libya is working toward a more democratic society. Four U.S. Senators recently traveled to Libya to begin peace talks between the two nations.
Arizona Senator John McCain released a statement:
“I’ve dreamed of returning to a liberated capital of a free Libya ever since I visited Benghazi in April and our visit to Tripoli today has been exhilarating and hopeful.”
Now that international relations are improving, travel companies and cruise lines are starting to discuss travel to the country. Organized tours are arranged in many European countries through tour groups and private companies, but most Americans still haven’t made the trek to see Libya’s Greek and Roman ruins and Saharan deserts.
After the 2004 ban was lifted, many cruise companies started allowing ships to stop in Libya, but the interest has waned in the past couple of years as Libya remains in the headlines. Just a couple of weeks ago, Celebrity Cruises actually cancelled 2012 trips to the Middle East because of a sharp decline in bookings for countries like Libya and Egypt.
However, Crystal Cruises has said it is very interested in organizing trips to Libya, but will have to wait until the political climate has settled down.
“Great challenges still remain for the people of Libya to establish a new, stable government and infrastructure,” said Susan Wichmann, manager at Crystal Cruises. “Once the security situation in the country stabilizes, and it’s considered a safe place to visit, Crystal will be very excited to finally visit Libya and learn about their history and culture first-hand.”
When Gadhafi’s death was first reported on Thursday, Janet Moore of California-based Distant Horizons said she received four phone calls from travelers anxious to visit the country.
“We’re ready to go back.” Moore said. “It’s not going to be a situation of just going. We want to know what infrastructures are in place, particularly food. We know the hotels are still there.”
She also cites visas as a problem saying, “We’re not sure how quickly they will start allowing American’s back in.”
Still, Moore says Distant Horizons is not looking to put a group together until early 2012.
By Alyssa Caverly for PeterGreenberg.com
To read more about Libya, check out:
- Peter’s interview with Lee Abbamonte on the ground of Libya’s liberation
- Our news coverage for travel alerts to Libya
- Information on changing cruise ports in Libya and beyond
- Middle East travel section
Related links: USA Today
