Libya is now open to US tourists: Visa limits lifted for an offbeat place and UNESCO sites

Sabratha, Libya - Photo by Delphine Bruyere (wikimedia commons)

Tourists from Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK have all been able to visit, and now the USA can be added to the list.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, May 25th,  Libya Expeditions, Libya’s leading tour operator and travel adventure specialist, announced the groundbreaking trade and investment agreement inked between Libya and the U.S., saying that it has resulted in Libya lifting all visa restrictions on U.S. citizens traveling to the country.

“Effective immediately, visas are being approved for U.S. citizens for travel to Libya. We are pleased with the new developments and giving the opportunity to U.S. citizens to return to Libya and explore this magical and scenic land,”  said Ryad Sunusi, Libya Expeditions Founder & CEO

Libya Expeditions describes itself as a full-service Libya tour operator that provides comprehensive Libya travel services, focusing on escorted Libya cultural, archaeological, and desert adventure tours and holidays; and has rapidly become the leading operator of escorted tours to Libya. Libya Expeditions is committed to promoting responsible tourism – supporting the local Libyan economy whilst retaining respect for traditional customs and way of life.

Although in the USA it's mainly seen as the fiefdom of Colonel Muammar Al-Gaddafi Libya is also home to five UNESCO world heritage sites:

• Archaeological Site of Cyrene (1982) - the oldest and most important of the five Greek cities in the region.
• Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (1982) -  The site has been described as one of the most spectacular and unspoiled Roman ruins in the Mediterranean.
• Archaeological Site of Sabratha (1982) - It has a 3rd century theatre that retains its three-storey architectural backdrop,  temples and a Christian basilica, and a museum.
• Rock-art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (1985) - this mountain range in the desert of western Libya is part of the Sahara. The area has a particularly rich array of prehistoric rock art.
• Old Town of Ghadames (1986) - a small oasis town with unusual architecture.

It should be noted that according to Wikipedia, In response to 9/11 attacks Gaddafi condemned the attacks as an act of terrorism and urged Libyans to donate blood for the US victims. As it turned out, donating blood would do no good, but the condemnation of the attack is an indication that the country wants to rejoin the international community of nations.

In 2004 Bush had lifted the economic sanctions on Libya and official relations resumed between Libya and the United States. Libya then opened a Liaison office in Washington, DC and the United States opened an office in Tripoli.

Libya recently announced an ambitious strategy to attract 1.5 Million tourists annually by 2012; and to that effect, loosened tourist visa procedures so visas for most nationalities can be obtained on arrival.

Now citizens of the USA will be able to visit. This is an important step in both international relations and, well, our ability to travel to new and exciting places.

Subscribe above to receive notices about future fascinating and informative columns in your emailbox. Read about more Offbeat Travel and follow me on twitter as OffbeatTravel