Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - Research Paper Example

Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, or commonly known as Libya, the second largest oil producer in the world, still remains underdeveloped despite the UN embargo being lifted in 2003. The US has also lifted the sanctions imposed on Libya thereby freeing the country to develop and expand. This paper explore the opportunities and possibilities of Libya developing an alternative sector to oil and gas – tourism – to contribute to its GDP and make a place for itself on the world map. Libya – the country Libya is located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, southern border with Chad, Niger, and Sudan, covering an area of 1,759,540 million sq. km (BNEA, 2007). Its main cities are Tripoli and Benghazi, with Tripoli being the capital. The terrain in Libya is mostly barren, with flat to undulating plains, plateaus and depressions. The climate in Libya is Mediterranean along the coast while it is extremely dry in the interior desert region. The people of Libya are known as Libyans and the population as of July 2007 was 6,036,914 including the non-nationals. It is estimated that about 500,000 or more are sub-Saharan Africans living in Libya. Almost 97% of the population is Sunni Muslims even though there are several ethnic groups living here. Berber and Arab comprise of 97% of the population while the others include Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians. The tribal groups in Southern Libya comprise of Tebou and Touareg and they are either nomadic or non-nomadic. The foreigners that reside in Libya are from other African nations such as Egyptians and Tunisians, West Africans and Sub-Saharan Africans. While English is the primary language, English, French and Italian are also understood in most major cities. Education is compulsory only up to nine years of education which is the reason why most people under the age of 15 are literate. Libya has a small population in a large land area. The population density in two northern regions of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is 50 persons per sq. km. whereas elsewhere it is less than one person per sq. km. most people live along the coast with about 90 percent of them living in ten percent of the area. More than half the population lives in the urban cities namely Tripoli and Benghazi. Libya – History For most part of the history, the people of Libya have been subjected to varying degrees of foreign control. Various rulers such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines have ruled all or parts of Libya at some point or the other (BNEA, 2007). The Greek and Roman ruins can still be found at Cyrene, Leptis Magna, and Sabratha. After the Arabs conquered Libya in the seventh century A.D, the indigenous people adopted Islam as their religion. Arabic culture and language came to be officially adopted by all. Thereafter in the mid-16th century, the Ottoman Turks conquered the country and Libya remained a part of their empire until it was invaded by Italy in 1911. Libya was an Italian colony until 1951 when it became independent under King Idris al-Sanusi (Travel Guide, 2009). The turning point in the history of economic development of Libya was the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 1963 and is today the country’s main resource (Mostafa, 2008). Muammar Qaddafi came to power in a bloodless coup in 1969 (Travel Guide, 2009). Being an Arab nationalist, he tried to forge unity with Arab states but could not succeed. He wanted to find an alternative to communism and capitalism and wanted his country to be distinctly different from other nations. Following Libya’s involvement in the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103, the UN Security Council demanded that Libya surrender the suspects, cooperate with the Pan Am 103 and UTA 772 investigations, pay compensation to the victims families, and cease all support for terrorism (BNEA, 2007b). When Libya refused to comply, the UNSC was forced to impose sanction meant to bring about Libyan compliance. In 2003, Libya announced its intentions of ridding itself of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)-class missile programs. Libya was subjected to sanctions imposed by the United States and it had been given the designation of ‘state sponsor of terrorism’. However, in May 2006, the State Department recognized the fact that Libya had not provided any support for acts of international terrorism in the past six months and had also provided assurance hat it would not do so even in the future. Based on this, the US rescinded Libya’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June 2006 (Libya, 2006). The UN embargo on Libya was lifted in 2003 after which the country is open to UK business travellers (Ferguson, 2007). Politics and the government The official name of the country is Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, where Jamahiriya stands for the "state of the masses" governed by the populace through local councils (BNEA, 2007). Libya is an authoritarian state with Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi as its leader. Political parties are banned in Libya and the government comprises of multi-layered popular assemblies (peoples congresses) with executive institutions (peoples committees) are guided by political cadres (revolutionary committees). Libya’s political system is based on political philosophy in Qadhafis Green Book, which combines socialist and Islamic theories while rejecting parliamentary democracy and political parties (BNEA, 2007a). All the major government decisions are under the control of Col. Qaddafi. For the first seven years following the revolution, Qaddafi along with 12 fellow army officers, completely overhauled Libyas political system, society and economy. He started a "cultural revolution" in 1973 in schools, businesses, industries, and public institutions to oversee administration of those organizations in the public interest. Economy The country has been making efforts to diversify the economy but Libya’s economy continues to be driven by the hydrocarbons sector which still accounts for about 60% of the GDP and more than 90% of the government revenues (Oxford Analytica, 2008). Because of the increases in the oil and gas prices in the past several years, there has been massive influx of revenues. This has generated a fiscal surplus equivalent to 39% of GDP in 2006 and 35% of GDP in 2007. Due to some reforms that have taken place such as privatization, reform of banks, foreign companies have opened up in Libya, leading to a boom in investment and business opportunities. Despite these steps taken, the state-owned units play a vital role in many sectors. In some cases, even though the unit may not be economically viable, they continue to be funded by the state. The real GDP of Libya in 2006 was $46.451 billion and the growth rate was 5.6 percent (BNEA, 2007). Petroleum, natural gas, gypsum are the natural resources available in the country. Wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans are the agricultural produce of Libya but almost 75% of the food required in Libya is imported. It exports crude oil and major petroleum products to markets such as Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and France. Its main suppliers for machinery, transport equipment, food, and manufactured goods are Germany, Tunisia, Turkey, France, South Korea and China. Libya is Africas second largest oil producer after Nigeria even after two decades of isolation and sanction (Gearon, 2007). The government has complete control over the oil resources which accounts for approximately 97% of the export earnings, 75% of the government receipts and 54% of the GDP (BNEA, 2007a). The country’s income has mostly been used to increase the personal influence of Qaddafi in Africa and elsewhere. Such mismanagement of the economy has resulted in high inflation and increased import prices. As a result the standard of living declined from late 1990s through 2003. Privatization and growth were constrained because of excessive control over prices, credit, trade and foreign exchange. The country also experienced periodic shortage of food and other resources. Libya’s real GDP growth is forecast to fall in 2009 due to OPEC output cuts and the broader effects of the global economic downturn but it is expected to rise again in 2010 because of higher export margins and volumes that are expected (EIU, 2009). The Libyan economy will continue to be dependent on the hydrocarbons sector for future expansion. As the economic growth has strengthened and the government has relaxed control over the domestic market, the consumer prices have picked up sharply after years of low inflation. Libya’s economic progress is dependent upon overseas technology, expertise for expansion and modernization, and upgradation of the vital infrastructure (Infrastructure Libya, 2009). The government has an ambitious multi-billion dollar National Development Plan with a US$14 billion budget allocation for 2009 alone. This amount represents 60% of the total annual budget. Foreign exchange The country has huge stocks of foreign reserves – US$98bn as of September 2008 (EIU, 2009). The exchange rate is managed through tight controls and because of the huge reserves, the authorities will be able to defend the exchange rate regime even if any pressure mounts on the currency. IMF’s special drawing rights (SDR) are expected to rain stable in 2009-10 as it has strengthened against the US dollar in 2008. Current situation Col. Qaddafi has ruthlessly repressed political dissent for the past 39 years and even now shows no intention of relinquishing control unless his health fails suddenly (EIU, 2009). Of late the authorities are concerned about potential challenges from the home grown Islamist groups based on the concerns over the threat posed by affiliates of al-Qaida. Political reform is unlikely in Libya as long as Qaddafi believes in the opaque and ineffective jamahiriya (republic of the people) system. He is not going to allow any individual minister to develop a personal power base. He has however, under pressure, reiterated his plan to dismantle the existing government system. This was designed to rid Libya of the bureaucracy that absorbs the soaring oil wealth and that it should benefit the wider population. The proposals to entrust the local administrative bodies with responsibility have not yet been implemented. With the aim to reduce Libya’s dependency on oil, gas and other related industries, new law was passed to attract foreign investments (Mostafa, 2008). Tax and customs benefits and exemptions were granted with the aim of transferring technology and know-how to Libya. Foreign investors can purchase land, transfer profits abroad, employ foreign labourers and even foreign banks are allowed to operate in Libya. Qaddafi has renewed ties with the world by dismantling weapons programs and rehabilitating Libya’s image. He is more interested in commerce than politics and they are keen to get investors to privatize the oil industry. Due to its bureaucratic obstacles and skill shortages, Libya is unable to attract foreign investment except in the oil and gas sector (Reed, 2007). Permits and regulations are great barriers in any business in Libya. Because of the nation and its people being kept in isolation, educational opportunities have been denied to the people thereby leading to skill shortages in the country. Banks are still state-controlled but efforts are on to privatize them. Efforts are also on to rationalize Libya’s Byzantine system of managing its oil wealth. The fund set up over the years is being consolidated into one unit called the Libyan Investment Co. Risks and challenges in operating in Libya The political situation is stable but challenges and risks remain. If the socio-economic environment deteriorates suddenly, if the oil prices fall or if unemployment increases, or if the public feel that they are not getting the benefits of the lifting of international sanctions, the government may have to face outbreaks of unrest (EIU, 2009). Owing to strict media control, reports are not freely made available but such incidents have been taking place. However, since the economy is improving and there is no strong opposition in power, there is no immediate threat to the regime. Because of the economic interest, the leader is keen to maintain relations with the West and hence has been taking interest in developing the tourism sector along with the oil and gas sectors. International political rehabilitation has taken place in Libya but Libya still retains some idiosyncratic practical challenges and risks for foreign companies and governments (Oxford Analytica, 2008). Internet and telecommunications Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, son of Libya leader, announced the privatization of Libya’s two state-owned mobile phone companies at the end of March 2007 (Libya, 2007) but no further details about the proposed move was given. The mobile phone penetration in Libya is about 26% with about 2.3m mobile phone subscribers divided between two brands – Libyana and al-Madar. Both are ultimately owned by the General Posts and Telecommunications Company (GPTC) which holds a monopoly over fixed-line and data services. The state-owned internet service provider, Libya Telecom and Technology Company (LTTC) controls the sector through its monopoly over international connectivity. Libya has high income per head by African standards and hence with the privatization of the mobile-phone networks, there is possibility of further subscriber growth. According to a joint report released by consultancy group Monitor and Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Libya currently attracts just about 300,000 visitors annually and has just one 5-star hotel in the country (Business Monitor International, 2006) although it has about 120 hotels (Africa Monitor, 2006). The government has now planned massive investments in the infrastructure to boost tourism in the region. It planned to invest in infrastructure projects and secured investment worth US$3bn in 2005 alone. The government is also providing tax relief schemes to investors in the sector. Libya – as a tourist destination Libya enjoys a unique, strategic geographical location in North East Africa with the Mediterranean coast stretching for 2000 km (Mostafa, 2008). To the south lie the deserts with the vast expanses of the Sahara within its territory. The potential for tourism in Libya is enormous. Once, the Southern outpost of the Roman Empire, Libya has some of the most famous ancient ruined cities in the world (Hatch, 2008). Around the medina in Tripoli, one can soak in a mix of Levantine, Italian and African influences. Libya can boast of approximately 200,000km of Mediterranean coastline, the Saharan desert with oases, and vast archaeological and historical riches (Africa Monitor, 2006). Libya is situated between Middle East and Africa, and having lived under Italian colonial rule, it has much to offer as cultural experience. However, Libya lacks both infrastructure and image as it had been demarcated as a ‘rogue’ state as it was on the US list of ‘state sponsors of terrorism’. Libya has largely unspoilt antiquities and desert landscapes apart from old fashioned, unhurried Arabic hospitality (Gearon, 2007). Libya is filled with some of the largest and best preserved classic ruins in the world. Libya is home to some of the most memorable remains of Roman and Greek civilization. The ancient city of Cyrene is being converted into a center for eco-tourism. Libya has another reason for simple human curiosity. It has long been seen as a pariah state and it ranks as a country of interest to many simply because it has been isolated for so long. The government expects to attract 10m tourists a year by 2020. Libya boasts of remarkably intact Greek, Byzantine and Phoenician buildings with the Mediterranean as a backdrop (Rosato, 2005). It has the most seductive Mediterranean coastline flanked by some of the finest Classical sites in existence - Leptis Magna (Calder, 2009). It could soon pose a threat to Dubai as the destination for the future tourists. Since Tony Blair’s visit in 2004, the perception of Libya has changed and there is a pent-up demand from enthusiasts to see its stunning archeological sites (TTG, 2006). Libya is exotic and mysterious. Short adventure breaks and desert tours are popular in Libya. Apart from the spectacular ruins of Leptis Magna, oasis towns and volcanic craters in the unspoilt desert region is gaining popularity. Tour operators offer camp out under the stars or trek across the dunes on a camel. Libya is considered one of the safest destinations in the Middle East. Tripoli has several attractive beaches while the oasis town of Ghadames was dubbed the "Pearl of the Desert" when it became a popular tourist destination for people from Tripoli. There are mosques and sand dunes where visitors can take a bath in the sand or salt lake. Benghazi has several white beaches including the white-sand Ras Alteen. In addition to pristine sandy beaches, Greek and Byzantine graves have been discovered from a monumental underwater city (McMohan, 2001). The battlefield of Tobruk lies 140 kilometers to the east of Ras Alteen. The Gree Mountains area has natural attractions of dense evergreen forests and varied wildlife. However, the vast majority of Libya’s tourist destinations are underdeveloped. Luxury liners have also begun easing into Libyan waters as Libya has become an integral part in the exotic and inspirational range of cruise itineraries (Hatch, 2006). Another tourist attraction in Libya is the war cemeteries. There was a lot of British involvement in the Second World War and now with the political change and acceptance of visitors, these cemeteries are being a place for pilgrimage (TTG, 2006a). It is only three and half hours from Gatwick or Heathrow to Tripoli. While business travel to Libya is on the increase, leisure travel may not get the same response because of the ban on alcohol (Ferguson, 2007). It is a part of the British culture to relax with an alcoholic drink and they enjoy it while on a holiday. While tourists enjoy the food and the historical sites, there are perpetual complaints about non-availability of alcohol. Tourism sector Tourism is Libya has been underdeveloped because of its past isolation and the poor image that it has been carrying as a tourist destination. It always had immense potential but it is only recently that the government has acknowledged the changes and investment necessary for rapid growth. After the UN sanctions were lifted, Libya did start attracting tourists in the area of desert tourism but to establish itself in the industry it is essential that Libya turn this sector into a full fledged industry (EIU ViewsWire, 2003). Libya lacks in suitable infrastructure, good hotels, restaurants and beach resorts. Besides, Libya has poor service culture and procedures to obtain visa is also a constraint. Leisure tourism started to take off in 2003 when western businesses showed interest in setting up presence in Libya (TTG, 2007). This helped to hold back the Libyan women who had been seeking jobs outside the country. Women have now entered the tourism industry and they consider it to be a liberating industry. The government too is taking initiatives to promote tourism in the country. As such, the Libyan government has launched a sustainable development project to protect the mountainous region of Djebal al-Akhdhar in eastern Libya (Travel Weekly, 2007). The Green Mountain Conservation and Development Authority have been entrusted with the task of directing the scheme and securing foreign investment. Libya has been spending in developing luxury resorts and has engaged British company to design a coastal resort (Fifield & Garrahan, 2004). Libya showed potential as a tourist destination as British tourists were expected to visit the country in large numbers. Italian property company, Gruppo Norman, has been awarded the contract to construct a holiday resort on Farwa Island near the Tunisian border and a Dutch company, Ladorado, has been asked to build ten tourist complexes in Tobruk (Africa Monitor, 2006). The trade sanction imposed by the US against Libya was also set to be lifted. Commercial ties have been renewed between Britain and Libya. However, Libya is still considered relatively dysfunctional both economically and politically. There are also difficulties in rebuilding the Tripoli Airport and managing air traffic. Investment in the sector is not considered enough as the country lacks in the basic skills required in the service sector. The local people frown at the menial work and leave it to the foreign guest workers from Egypt. Service is hence slow, inefficient and unreliable. According to experts Libya is expected to become a tourist hot spot and has so far been neglected by international visitors mainly due to international embargo (Anonymous, 2007). The tourism investment in Libya has attracted 73 national and foreign investors in 2006 and the number of tourists that visited Libya in 2006 was 125,480. While the number of tourists has risen slowly, the country cannot yet be called tourist-friendly. The ordinary Libyans are the world’s most hospitable hosts. Libyan tourism comprises of several government departments who each control some distinct policy and each body has its own rules and regulations (Gearon, 2007). Besides, there is no cooperation between these departments which could expedite the work. Apart from the tour operators, even the government officials agree on this issue. The tour operators find the situation frustrating as rules and policies change by the day. Those on budget holidays find it difficult to move around and as of now Libya is heaven for those who can afford to spend lavishly. In 2007, Libya had just one five-star hotel, the Maltese owned Corinthia Bab, which has excellent location and is able to offer class service (Gearon, 2007). The lack of modern banking system is likely to put off visitors that are used to ATMs and credit cards (Africa Monitor, 2006). In January 2007, in a cabinet reshuffle, the Ministry of Tourism was abolished and a new body – General Tourism Authority (GTA) was established (Libya, 2007). The original ministry was geographically dispersed across different regions; the new Authority is centralized and houses five different departments – antiques, old towns, handicrafts, investment and parks. The GTA has allocated a budget of US$70m to upgrade tourism infrastructure and expects t receive another US$47m once the national budget for 2007 is formally approved. The government aims that the tourism sector share in the country’s GDP and be parallel to the oil sector. Visa requirements The non-Arab foreigners who need visa have to first sign up for an organized tour or receive an invitation from some resident in Libya (Gearon, 2007). Individuals or pairs would no longer be issued visas and the minimum requirement is three people entering the country. These groups of three would also have to be accompanies by a representative of an officially sanctioned Libyan tour company. Independent travel has been outlawed by this decree. Tourists do not like to be guided or shepherded from one ancient sight to another. It takes about 45 days to issue a visa which has to be reduced in order to boost tourism (Africa Monitor, 2006). Despite authoritative regime, Libya shows potential for growth and has made some relaxations in its policy. Libya has undertaken to bring about reforms in their economic policies and is giving importance to the development of tourism in the region to boost the economy. As a tourist destination, Libya enjoys coastal area as well as deserts. With the lifting of the sanctions by the UN Council and the US government, the tourism sector has received a boost. On the basis of the literature reviewed, a SWOT and PESTEL analysis would give direction to the development and growth of the tourism sector in Libya. SWOT Analysis Strength Libyan Economic and Social Development Fund (LESDF) are entering into several joint venture contracts (Oxford Analytica, 2008). Infrastructure is being updated as new construction and real estate deals have been agreed upon. An Italian cement company is building a new cement plant which will be 50% owned by Italicementi. In joint venture with Oya Tourism and Development (a subsidiary of LESDF), a Dubai-based real estate company is developing a large residential and commercial complex in Tripoli. Private airlines are now operating in Libya and Afriqiyah Aurline is now the leading airline. It is expanding its fleet and has ordered for 23 new air crafts. Russian Railways is building a 554-kilometre section of track along Libyas coast. To expand the telecom networks, contracts worth 75 million dollars have been awarded to Chinese telecom firms. Since the UN embargo was lifted in 2003, several airlines such as BA. Lufthansa, Emirates and KLM have opened up offices in Libya (Ferguson, 2007). Libya has one of the most amazing but untouched tourist attractions in Leptus Magna and the population that has a desire to welcome foreign visitors. Libya has a coastal belt, mountains, deserts and moderate weather – all set to attract foreign tourists. The General Authority for Tourism and Conventional Industries (GATCI), in cooperation with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), is determining potential areas for tourism investment along the Libyan Mediterranean coast (Mostafa, 2008). Investors are given incentives, guarantees, exemptions and other privileges. Weakness The Libyan economy still suffers from bureaucratic inefficiencies and resistance to liberalization. Ideological and political arguments mask any reforms and development that takes place (Oxford Analytica, 2008a). Despite having a valid visa, entry to tourists is being denied if they do not have an Arabic translation of their passports (Anonymous, 2007). The sudden change in entry rules denotes confusion in government policies as Libya has been trying to promote itself as a lucrative tourist destination. The country enforces a ban on alcohol (Calder, 2009). The tour guides are frustrated at the lack of support they receive from the government despite there being a steady increase in the number of tourists since 2003 (Ferguson, 2007). Scarcity of water is a problem that impacts sustainable development in the region (Mostafa, 2008). The majority of the country’s land is the desert region which is dry and there is no stable fresh water resource due to fluctuations in rainfall (Mostafa, 2008). However, to combat this problem, the government has started a giant project at a cost of US$20bn called the Great Manmade River. This river carries around 5.5 million m3 of water daily from subterranean water basins to coastal areas in the north where most of the people live. Hotel rooms, phones, and fax machines may be monitored and personal possessions in hotel rooms maybe searched. Opportunity Libya recognized the opportunity that globalization and liberalization has presented and hence the tourism authorities started seeking foreign partners for the construction of new hotels and resorts (EIU ViewsWire, 2003). Libya has much to offer as a tourist destination. The war cemeteries can be a big attraction for the British and hence the tourism department should promote this as ‘dark tourism’. Cultural sights such as Leptis Magna have been growing and are a major tourist attraction. Threats The country faces threats from the Islamist Groups that can cause disturbance unannounced or even from the public if their demands are not met or if they do not derive benefit from the lifting of the foreign sanctions. PESTEL Analysis Political The country has political stability even though the control continues to be in the hands of the leader. However, several reforms have been implemented although not all, as was envisaged earlier. Certain government departments have been added with a view to entrust the local issues to the local administrative bodies. Since 1994 the country ahs not engaged in international terrorism but a Libyan Islamist group calling itself the Fighting Islamic Group in Libya, as reported by al-Qaida (Travel Guide, 2009). The border with Egypt is subject to sudden closures and travel to Tunisia can be subject to delays due to heavy traffic. Economic Libya has shown signs of positive economic performance even though it still depends on oil revenues. There is stability in the monetary policy as the Central Bank of Libya supervises the banking sector which includes 42 commercial banks (Mostafa, 2008). Some of the Libyan banks have been privatized and are being modernized to cope with the foreign investment coming into Libya. The Central Bank has a stable exchange rate against the US dollar. Social Unemployment is a major challenge in Libya which currently stands at 30 percent (Mostafa, 2008). This is a common phenomenon in all Arab states among university graduates. Small incidents of unrest trickle in although there is strict control over the media. The Swiss Embassy in Tripoli has been a focus of demonstration protesting the arrest of Qaddafi’s son in Switzerland in 2008 (Travel Guide, 2009). In the southern desert city of Kofra also unrest was reported although the cause is not known. Technology The upstream and downstream facilities that have been set up in Libya have been established with the help and support of foreign technology especially from the US and the Western Europe (LPI, 2009). There is a great deficiency of research effort towards successful technological innovations. The security system in Libya is strong as it maintains a pervasive surveillance system that monitors and controls the activities of individuals (Travel Guide, 2009). This technology has been taken from the foreign countries and is not indigenous. Environment Libya has more than 16 natural springs and more than 21 natural parks, chain of mountains with peaks of 3376m above sea level, more than 12 natural huge lakes and more than 7 inhabited oases (Elwaer, 2006). Conservation of the eco system is essential for the sustainable development of tourism. Legal Libya’s Human Rights records and continued violations give it a negative image at the international level. Freedom of expression, association and assembly remain restricted due to repression of voices and absence of independent human rights organizations (Travel Guide, 2009). Asylum-seekers and migrants are detained indefinitely and ill-treated. The control is totally in the hands of the leader. Conclusion Libya has bureaucratic problem and the infrastructure is still in its infancy. However, the growth potential is immense. Libya as a tourist destination has plenty to offer to the tourists. The location and the natural resources are conducive to tourism. The government has taken initiatives for the growth of the sector and is investing in technology through joint ventures with foreign investors. The political condition is stable although risks remain. The challenges are many but not insurmountable. While there has been investment in the development of infrastructure, no perceivable development can be seen in the area of skilled man power. Tourism being a service industry is totally dependent on the service delivery which in turn is dependent on the human capital. Under the circumstances, Libya’s stand on developing human resources before promoting tourism in right earnest has to be ascertained. The thesis hence would be that without proper man power planning, all investment in the tourism sector may prove to be a waste. Reference: Anonymous, 2007, Libya: Change of entry policy may harm tourist numbers, McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Washington: Nov 13, 2007. 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