The ‘harmful’ journey vacation spot in Africa attracting extra vacationers – regardless of UK authorities warnings NOT to go to

A history of civil war, security risks and police escorts don’t seem to be putting off tourists from visiting a notoriously ‘dangerous’ travel destination.

Libya has seen a 60 per cent boom in visitors in the first half of 2025 compared to the year before, according to the Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Nasr El-Din Al-Fezzani.

This is despite strong government warnings against travel to the North African country.

The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Libya, describing a ‘heightened risk of regional tension’.

All travel except for to the cities of Benghazi and Misrata is warned against, and the government explains how travel insurance may be invalid if holidaymakers go ahead with their trip against advice. 

So why are travellers still heading to the complicated country?

The tragic six-year long civil war ended in 2020, but there has been unrest across the country since making many areas unsafe. 

Despite this, Libya is beginning to feature on itineraries by travel agents, and over the last two years the country has been pushing to bring in international tourists. 

Libya has seen a 60 per cent boom in visitors in the first half of 2025 compared to the year before

In the first six months of 2025, a whopping 282,000 visitors checked out archaeological sites including Leptis magna and Sabratha (pictured)

Several key attractions have been built or renovated, including the National Museum in Tripoli which reopened after 14 years. 

And the hard work seems to be effective. 

In the first six months of 2025, a whopping 282,000 visitors checked out archaeological sites including Leptis magna and Sabratha.

Construction is also continuing on the Al-Andalus Tourist Complex in Tripoli which will feature shopping areas and hotels.

It is also now much easier to enter Libya.

Back in 2024, a new e-visa system was introduced that involves visitors putting in an online application.

This is usually then approved in just a couple of weeks, making it much more simple than the previous bureaucratic process.

However, tourists still need to get certain permits to enter and are required to have a police escort or be with government security officials during their stay.

Back in 2024 a new e-visa system was introduced that involves visitors putting in an online application

Travel insurance is another problem, with most policies not covering trips to destinations with government warnings. Special insurance that covers these matters is needed instead. 

Untamed Borders founder James Willcox told EuroNews the travel company had seen a surge in bookings since 2024 to Libya.

French lawyer Didier Goudant went on a tour with James last year to Libya and was surprised to find he had a ‘good hotel’ in Tripoli, and stayed in a Radisson Blu. Elsewhere, in the town of Ghat he stayed in a guest house because of the lack of hotels in the area.

Didier, who lives in Portugal, explained, ‘I follow the news and everything, and I talk to people. Obviously, with Untamed Borders, we don’t go into war areas.

‘Basically, when you say Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, people think it’s still a war zone, still fighting, which is not the case. That’s the problem with how the news is managed and presented now.’