Holidays in Somalia? Mogadishu hopes to be tourist hotspot

Nima Elbagir and Lillian Leposo CNN
Updated 9:47 AM EDT, Wed June 12, 2013
Investment optimism is gradually returning to Mogadishu as the capital of war-ravaged Somalia tries to recover after more than 20 years of conflict.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
Investment optimism is gradually returning to Mogadishu as the capital of war-ravaged Somalia tries to recover after more than 20 years of conflict.
CNN
Somali hotelier Bashir Osman (front) wants to attract holidaymakers from around the world by building a seaside luxury resort in Mogadishu.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
Somali hotelier Bashir Osman (front) wants to attract holidaymakers from around the world by building a seaside luxury resort in Mogadishu.
CNN
His construction efforts are part of a growing building activity that's re-shaping parts of the troubled city.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
His construction efforts are part of a growing building activity that's re-shaping parts of the troubled city.
CNN
"If you go to Mogadishu the construction is very, very booming," says Osman. Pictured, construction workers in November 2012.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
"If you go to Mogadishu the construction is very, very booming," says Osman. Pictured, construction workers in November 2012.
TOBIN JONES/AFP/Getty Images
Mogadishu's growing economy is also manifested in the aviation industry, with about 15 daily domestic and international flights.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
Mogadishu's growing economy is also manifested in the aviation industry, with about 15 daily domestic and international flights.
CNN
At Mogadishu's seaport, cranes lift goods from the commercial ships and boats lining the harbor. The wide array of imported construction materials, household goods and food are then loaded onto rows of waiting trucks.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
At Mogadishu's seaport, cranes lift goods from the commercial ships and boats lining the harbor. The wide array of imported construction materials, household goods and food are then loaded onto rows of waiting trucks.
CNN
Somalia plunged into chaos after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Following his ouster, clan warlords and militants battled for control, sparking a civil war.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
Somalia plunged into chaos after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Following his ouster, clan warlords and militants battled for control, sparking a civil war.
DAVID CHAZAN/AFP/Getty Images/file
Political newcomer Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected in September as the new leader of war-torn Somalia, a country brought to its knees after years of conflict.
Mogadishu's economic renaissance —
Political newcomer Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected in September as the new leader of war-torn Somalia, a country brought to its knees after years of conflict.
Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images/file
Mogadishu's economic renaissance

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Story highlights

Mogadishu, the capital of war-torn Somalia, is experiencing an economic renaissance

Entrepreneurs hope tourists will return to the country

Both real estate and hotel sectors are growing as well as investment optimism

The resurgence is partly boosted by a returning diaspora

Mogadishu, Somalia CNN  — 

Bashir Osman moves hurriedly along a white sandy beachfront, giving instructions to a driver operating a bulldozer. Near them, a large truck is ferrying away piles of rocks, clearing a sun-soaked beach lapped by the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Work here is well underway as Osman presses ahead with his new multi-million dollar project: to build a luxury beach resort in Mogadishu, the capital of war-torn Somalia.

“I knew one day that Mogadishu will become peace and we’ll get stability,” says Osman, who already owns two hotels in the city. “That is why I started to buy that land.”

After more than 20 years of violence, Somalia moved a step closer to stability last September after picking its first president elected on home soil in decades.