Libya’s status as a no-go tourist zone deters cruise lines

Libya’s extended revolution is taking its toll on the country’s tourism industry. Not surprisingly, tour operators and travellers are wary of visiting a place where they could be shot at or blown up by three different factions – Nato, rebels and Gaddafi loyalists. Cruise lines have just announced that they will no longer be stopping at Tripoli on various cruises up and down the African coast and between Europe and Africa.

Four different cruise ship operators have stated their intention to revise their itineraries to avoid calling at Libya; they are P&O Cruises, Voyages to Antiquity, Noble Caledonia and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. They have, however, said that should a peaceful solution be found soon, they will once again add the country to their ports of call. Cruises aren’t Libya’s only casualty, as many Asian and European countries continue to warn citizens not to plan holidays to the region. They are also advising expats and visitors to return home as soon as possible. According to reports, in 2010 Libya received 10 000 visitors from Japan, Germany and the UK, but bookings have all but stopped since February 2011, which was when the unrest began. The battle to rebuild Libya’s tourism industry will only really begin once all the fighting stops. Not only will tour operators have to convince a wary public that the country is safe, but they will also have to contend with damaged attractions.

Tanks, bombs and automatic guns inflict damage indiscriminately and many tourist attractions are in the line of fire. Libya has a very rich cultural history and contains a vast number of historically important ruins dating back millennia. These are now at risk of being turned into worthless rubble. Without its main attractions, Libya will have a hard time convincing travellers its worth the visit, regardless of whether they’re on a whistle-stop cruise or not.