In what many are calling a turning point for Liberia’s development agenda, government officials, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society converged on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex for a high-level National Tourism Policy Dialogue.
Themed “A Review of Liberia’s Tourism Sector for Sustained Economic Growth and Development,” the one-day dialogue marked the first major gathering of tourism stakeholders since the creation of the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA).
The forum showcased a renewed national commitment to developing tourism as a strategic pillar for inclusive growth, job creation, cultural preservation, and global image enhancement.
A Moment of Reawakening
Delivering the keynote address, Princess Eva Cooper, Acting Director-General of the LNTA, described the dialogue as a “declaration of intent” to position tourism at the heart of Liberia’s economic transformation.
She emphasized that the sector is no longer a “sleeping giant,” but an emerging engine of opportunity under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
“We envision a tourism sector that generates jobs, supports SMEs, promotes local culture, and safeguards our environment,” she said, aligning her message with the President’s ARREST Agenda, Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
Cooper outlined four key pillars for the sector’s revival: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tourism, Community Empowerment, Public-Private Partnerships, and Strengthening Liberia’s National Brand.
She also made a direct appeal to Liberian youth, urging them to see tourism as a viable career path in hospitality, conservation, and entrepreneurship.
Policy Roots and Reforms
For her part, the Vice Chair of the Governance Commission, Sianeh Sackie Juah, provided an overview of the reform journey, tracing it back to a proposal developed in 2014 under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to create an independent tourism authority.
That vision materialized in 2025, when President Boakai signed into law the Act establishing the LNTA.
“We realized early on that the existing structure needed regulatory leadership. Today’s gathering is about removing barriers and creating the conditions for growth,” Juah told the audience.
She emphasized the Commission’s commitment to working across government and private sector lines to align strategies for tourism tax reform, digitization of tourism services, and policy harmonization.
Executive Backing and Global Repositioning
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Mansion, Macdella Cooper, Political Advisor to the President, reiterated the Boakai Administration’s unwavering support for tourism.
“Tourism is not merely leisure-it is a strategic instrument for sustainable growth, cultural diplomacy, and national branding,” she stated.
The Government, she noted, is focused on promoting eco-tourism, expanding infrastructure, and ensuring tourism revenues benefit local communities, particularly youth and women.
Tourism as Legacy and Nationhood
In a stirring closing, Acting Governance Commission Chairman Alaric K. Tokpa elevated the conversation, framing tourism as a central expression of Liberia’s identity.
“Our forests, waterfalls, and cultural heritage are not just destinations, they are legacies,” Tokpa said. “We are a mosaic of rich traditions, histories, and resilience. Tourism allows the world to see us for who we are.”
He called on Liberians to approach the sector with patriotic passion, not just technical expertise, and to see it as a national vehicle for healing, unity, and transformation.
The dialogue featured panel discussions on investment readiness, community engagement, environmental protections, and taxation, with inputs from MICAT, the Liberia Revenue Authority, LISGIS, and international partners.
Attendees left the event energized by the vision and clear direction laid out, with many calling for the swift implementation of outlined reforms and strategies.
The challenge ahead is not just to promote tourism, but to build a Liberian tourism model that is inclusive, resilient, and proudly representative of the nation’s rich story.
