TRIPOLI, Libya : There remains much untapped tourism potential in Libya, and this was clear to the Singapore delegation now visiting the country.

Libya has about 2,000 kilometres of coastline which can easily accommodate some resorts. But what is also breathtaking about the country is its archaeological and heritage sites.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong visited what is known as the "Jewel of Libya". Leptis Magna is a World Heritage site and is home to some of the most complete Roman ruins from the time of Christ. The artefacts were only excavated in this century.

The ruins of a Roman amphitheatre, used for staging plays as well as for religious festivals, date back more than 2,000 years. They were discovered in the 1960s and still have much untapped tourism potential today.

Mr Goh said: "It's not just for those who have a sense of history and those who love antiquities and so on. Even for the mass tourism market, I think people will be interested... to come here just to take pictures and so on.

"What they need is to have some good hotels over here, provide logistics, transportation and have guides who can explain things to people." - CNA /ls