By Amos Harris
Monrovia – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged Liberia to take decisive action to unlock its vast yet underdeveloped tourism potential, describing the sector as a strategic tool for driving sustainable growth and inclusive development.
Speaking on Providence Island during celebrations marking World Tourism Day 2025 on September 27, Louis Kuukpen, UNDP Liberia’s Deputy Resident Representative, said the event’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” is both timely and urgent for a country seeking new pathways to economic diversification.
“Tourism has the power to transform Liberia’s development trajectory. It can generate jobs, stimulate local economies, and serve as a bridge connecting Liberia to the global community,” Kuukpen asserted.
Despite Liberia’s wealth of tropical rainforests, pristine coastlines, historical landmarks, and cultural heritage, the country still lags far behind in Africa’s tourism rankings and is absent from the continent’s top ten destinations.
Kuukpen stressed that tourism is more than leisure; it’s a strategic driver of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted its potential to reduce poverty, create opportunities for women and youth, stimulate entrepreneurship, attract foreign investment, and promote climate action through ecotourism and conservation efforts.
The UNDP has been a long-standing partner in Liberia’s tourism agenda, supporting the development of the National Tourism Policy, contributing to the National Investment Incentive Code for Tourism, facilitating the creation of the Liberia Tourism Board, and reactivating the Liberia Tourism Working Group (LTWG).
Calling on the government to step up, Kuukpen urged policymakers to establish a comprehensive legal and administrative framework that includes investor-friendly policies, improved infrastructure, safety guarantees, and streamlined visa and travel systems. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding Liberia’s environment and cultural heritage to ensure sustainability.
“Tourism cannot thrive in isolation. It requires strong and strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors,” he added, appealing for greater collaboration among government institutions, private enterprises, civil society, and international development partners.
With limited fiscal space constraining the government, the UNDP believes tourism offers one of Liberia’s best opportunities for economic resilience and diversification, with the potential to deliver high returns on modest investments while telling Liberia’s unique story to the world.