U.S.-Libya Trade Agreement Launches New Era of Tourism

After a trade and investment agreement between Libya and the U.S. effectively ended all Libyan visa restrictions on U.S. citizens, tour operators are gearing up to resume tourism into the country. The Libyan government has also launched a marketing strategy to attract 1.5 million tourists annually by 2012.

In pursuit of the tourism goal, the government has loosened tourist visa procedures to the extent that visas for most nationalities can be obtained on arrival. “Effective immediately, visas are being approved for U.S. citizens for travel to Libya,” said Ryad Sunusi, founder and CEO of Libya Expeditions.

Libya has gained favor in recent years with adventure enthusiasts and cultural travelers, with its five UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- The Roman ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, the Hellenic ruins of Cyrene, the desert town of Ghadames, and the Rock-Art Sites of the freakish Tadrart Akakus.