Libya recorded a significant rise in foreign tourist arrivals during the first quarter of the year, highlighting growing international interest in the country’s cultural and historical attractions despite ongoing challenges facing the tourism sector.
According to a report issued by the Tourism Information and Documentation Centre, a total of 974 foreign tourists from 54 different nationalities visited Libya during the first three months of the year. The visitors were among more than 121,000 people who travelled to Libyan cities, archaeological sites, and tourist destinations during the same period.
The report showed that the number of foreign tourists increased by 41% compared with the corresponding period last year, indicating a gradual recovery in Libya’s tourism industry.
Chinese nationals ranked first among international visitors, followed by tourists from Italy. Visitors from the United States, Poland, Russia, Germany, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Romania also featured among the leading nationalities travelling to Libya.
Officials said the figures reflect growing international interest in Libya’s tourism potential, which includes a long Mediterranean coastline, diverse natural landscapes, and several internationally recognised heritage sites.
Libya is home to five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Leptis Magna, Sabratha, Cyrene, Old Town of Ghadames, and the Tadrart Acacus rock art sites.
The report identified Cyrene in eastern Libya as the country’s most visited archaeological destination during the first quarter, followed by Sabratha on the western coast.
Libya’s tourism infrastructure also showed positive indicators. The country currently has 777 tourism accommodation facilities, including hotels, serviced apartments, and tourist villages. These establishments hosted more than 159,000 guests during the reporting period.
The capital, Tripoli, recorded the highest number of hotel and tourism accommodation guests, followed by the Green Mountain region and Benghazi.