World Report

In addition to its 299 rooms, the Bab Africa Hotel has a 10,000-sq metre commercial centre, and conference and banqueting facilities for up to 500 delegates

ominating the skyline of the Tripoli waterfront, the imposing Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel is strategically placed in the centre of the city’s business area. Opened in 2003, the hotel’s two imposing towers are a landmark for business travellers and tourists alike.

The Bab Africa, the country’s first five-star hotel, was built with investment funds of £70 million by the Maltese company Corinthia Hotels.

Joseph Pisani, Director of Corinthia Hotels, Libya, says the country is already a real option for special interest tourism. “Judging by the number of tourists who have stayed at our hotel, their positive comments as well as the increased reservations for the coming season, we can only see this segment develop further.”

He adds: “The hotel prides itself on its service standards and we are delivering our service promise. The results are exceeding expectations.”

Resources are being dedicated to promoting the hotel in the North Africa and Middle East markets, which already provide a steady flow of visitors to Libya. The Corinthia group, which owns 18 hotels, already has a strong European network and international brand, and attracts a high percentage of European, Asian and American guests.

“Our tourist visitors are usually well travelled individuals who are eager to discover new cultures and customs,” says Mr Pisani. “Given that we are the only international chain in Tripoli, we also get our fair share of business travellers.”
He hopes that more visitors will consider Libya when looking for an exotic travel destination. “Libya offers the most amazing Roman and Punic ruins, an excellent climate, 2000 km of untouched coastline, the Sahara desert, the Akakus mountains, and the most hospitable and welcoming of people.”