Libya and EU agree cooperation in the tourism industry

Libya and the European Union begin discussions looking to deepen collaboration in the tourism sector, promoting cultural tourism in Libya and preserving World Heritage sites, according to the Moroccan government-friendly outlet North Africa Post on September 17^th.

The European Union representative Office in Tripoli, Libya’s capital, announced the beginning of a new initiative aiming to protect Libya’s cultural heritage, helping to drive tourist growth in the North African nation.

The initiative was unveiled at the historic site of Leptis Magna, an ancient city along the Mediterranean coast of Libya. It was attended by European Union representatives, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Tourism Police of the Tripoli-based, UN-supported Government of National Unity (GNU).

Libya is aiming to entice visitors back after over a decade of violence, instability and political division which has isolated the country. Recently, Turkish Airlines have resumed scheduled flights to Misrata after a ten-year hiatus, representing a shift towards active engagement and encouraging tourists to visit.

The initiative will help to preserve the integrity of Libya’s vast archaeological sites through more rigorous risk assessments. Alongside preservation, the development of tourist infrastructure will proceed to accommodate rising visitor numbers in the future.

Seeking to capitalise on the natural beauty Libya has to offer, as well as the rich history of Roman ruins, Libya has launched an e-visa system that facilitates international arrivals with more ease and makes the tourist experience more seamless. It is another signifier of Libya’s ambition to integrate themselves into the global conversation and diversify their economy.

Other nations in the Maghreb region have reaped rewards over ambitious policies encouraging tourism and foreign investment, enabling economic growth and diversification away from the hydrocarbons sector.

Libya will be looking to the successes of Morocco and Tunisia, seeking to emulate the economic boost tourism has provided those nations, reducing reliance on a volatile oil and gas sector.