Libya: An about-face.
by Sandy Dhuyvetter, 
Executive producer of Travel Talk Radio

San Francisco – April 14, 1986
Life on earth begins with birth and it ends with death. The concept isn’t rocket science but today I was going to feel and touch the notion down to my very soul.  I started the day of April 14^th, 1986  as I had for the past 8 months, pregnant and full of hope for my son’s birth date the following month in May. But in a moments notice, the reality is that this tiny 7 lb baby has decided to make an early entry into our beautiful world. Giving birth is truly one of lives most precious moments, yet as I waited for my little bundle of joy to join me, I found the solace of television to keep my mind away from the pinching pains and the reminder of what’s in store. And then it happened, in full color, real time and right before my eyes. The announcement came that the United States had just bombed Libya. Upset and in shock, 

I found even more sadness when I learned the baby daughter of the Libyan leader, Colonel Moammar Gadhafi, had been killed in the attack. Regardless of right and wrong, at that moment I was somehow forever linked to Libya. The life and death of these two children on that day brought me closer to the Libyan people with whom I had never interacted. Through the years to this day at each birthday celebrated for my son, I stop to reflect on the young and fleeting life of Colonel Gadhafi’s daughter. This coincidence of fate has forever left its imprint on me.

Berlin – March 17, 2004
Eighteen years later. It is mid March 2004, and I am in Berlin attending the world’s largest annual travel conference, working as a travel talk radio host and producing audio and visual love fests of travel. The news is in, just weeks earlier, Colonel Gadhafi has solemnly pledged that he and his county would work within the boundaries of a global community, eliminate all WMD programs and seek peace and prosperity for its citizens. With that announcement, a rush of thoughts exploded in my head. Here was an opportunity to co-exist in this small world, to live side by side where there is no more “wall”. Strangers no more and a time to be finally free to experience first hand each other’s countries and finally creating a warm and respectful bond that has the capability of bringing millions of people together. We were witnessing an incredible step by one of Africa’s leading countries that will hopefully prove to be a catalyst for more countries to come forward and take positive steps to make the planet safer for generations to come.  

It’s 4pm in Germany. The phone rings and the opportunity unfolds. I have been invited to do an exclusive interview with Colonel Gadhafi’s Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ammar Mabrouk Eltayef. Formally, his title is Secretary of the general people’s Committee for Tourism Libya. Mr.  Eltayef’s attachι tells me that, due to security concerns, they will only disclose the location of our meeting an hour before the interview. We wonder as we sit in our hotel room where the cloak of night will take us. Berlin and its incredible history as a city once divided and now reunited is an incredibly surreal, yet also ideal, setting for our meeting. At the appointed time, we dial the number given to us to get the location. Our call is answered with a cheerful greeting in English.  Our meeting is be at the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Hotel located in the center of Berlin, on prestigious Potsdamer Platz within a few meters of the now razed Berlin Wall. We will have one hour to share with Mr. Eltayef and advised that he will then be off to yet another meeting.  

As we sit in the fabulous lobby of the new Ritz-Carlton, I am even more vividly reminded of the symbolism of the location for this interview and wonder if the Libyan delegation will also recognize the significance of the site. Soon Solieman Abboud, the General Manager of SARI Travel & Tourism, greets us. His warm handshake and sincere smile reminded us of seeing an old friend. Refreshments were shared and we are then escorted into a beautiful conference room where Patrick Peartree, our Program Director and I worked feverishly getting our broadcast equipment ready. Once we were a technical “go”, Mr. Eltayef was escorted into the room and introduced to us. His English was as solid as his sharp good looks, and the twinkle in his eyes conveyed that he was most pleased to be here with us. The sense of warmth in his style made us feel very welcomed. Before the interview, Mr. Eltayef tells me he would be more comfortable with an interpreter. I assure him his English is perfect but welcome Mr. Mohamed Bayoud to our conversation. As the interview began, we hear fascinating descriptions of Libya.
We learn about Libya’s new role and aspirations in the world, its people and its natural resources, including some of the most incredible beaches on earth. In hopes of winning the 2010 World Cup, Libya has pledged over $9.5 billion USD to build a first class infrastructure and stadiums to host the prestigious event. With a population of only about 5 million people in a country nearly the size of Alaska, Libya offers a fantastic opportunity for outside investment and development.

It is estimated that 25% of the visitors to Libya come to partake in Archaeology tourism while only 6% come to enjoy the resorts. Libya plans to promote itself as a changed nation desiring to join the world family of nations while at the same time aggressively courting foreign investors and, in particular, the travel industry. Attracting foreign investors, resort developers and new industries is the logical step for developing Libya into a leading provider of leisure travel products. After all, the country is the size of Germany, France and Holland combined and has over 2000 kilometers (approximately 1200 miles) of undeveloped beachfront property on the Mediterranean Sea. There is no doubt that Libya is ready to step up to the plate and compete with some of the finest destinations in the world!  

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Please learn more about this fascinating country by listening to our exclusive interview with the Secretary of the general people’s Committee for Tourism Libya, Mr. Ammar Mabrouk Eltayef. You will hear the personal joy of a new era as this wonderful country joins the global community of peaceful nations and throws open it’s doors to international trade and commerce.  

Travel Talk Radio would like to give special thanks to:  
Soleiman Abboud, General Manager of Sari  Travel & Tourism. Soleiman was instrumental in arranging our introduction to the Minister of Tourism and his entourage. Thank you Soleiman.

Soleiman Abboud, General Manager of Sari Travel & Tourism.
Mobile: + 218  91 212-5609 Tel. + 218 21 4873021. Fax: + 218 21 4870457
www.sarilibyatravel.com

Sandy Dhuyvetter lives in San Diego CA where her company Celestialink  produces Travel Talk Radio and Travel Talk News. Go to www.TravelTalkRadio.com for more information.

Contact Sandy Here