Published: October 29, 2025
Monrovia — After more than a decade on the sidelines of global tourism, Liberia has regained full membership in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), marking what officials are calling a “historic comeback” for a sector once left dormant and overlooked.
The country’s membership in UN Tourism was suspended due to unpaid obligations and administrative lapses, leaving Liberia excluded from international programs and opportunities that could have boosted its visibility and growth.
But in a turnaround, the government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has breathed new life into the struggling industry. Within his first year in office, the President identified tourism as a central pillar of his ARREST Agenda — an ambitious plan focused on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
Recognizing tourism as the nation’s “sleeping giant,” the Boakai administration began a series of reforms to reposition Liberia as a competitive and sustainable destination. The passage of the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) Act of 2025 provided the institutional backbone for these efforts, formally establishing the LNTA as the coordinating body for tourism and creative industries. Liberia’s Comeback on the Global Stage.
The new LNTA leadership, headed by Director General-Designate Princess Eva Cooper and Deputy Director General-Designate Atty. Dogba K. Norris, immediately prioritized Liberia’s reinstatement to UN Tourism.
According to the LNTA press release, the move followed “two weeks of sustained dialogue, comprehensive reviews, submission of a proposed ten-year payment plan and diplomatic exchanges” that ultimately convinced UN Tourism to restore Liberia’s full membership. The reinstatement allows Liberia to “benefit from all membership rights, including the right to vote, even before the payment plan is signed,” pending final approval by the General Assembly, the release added.
“This achievement is a testament to President Boakai’s vision to reposition tourism as a national priority,” said Ms. Princess Eva Cooper, as quoted in the LNTA statement. “Liberia’s story is one of renewal, resilience, and rediscovery.”
Liberia’s readmission means the country can once again participate in global tourism decision-making, benefit from training and technical support, and access funding opportunities for community-based tourism and heritage projects. The LNTA believes these benefits will serve as catalysts for growth and job creation in rural areas, where tourism potential has long been untapped.
A New Era of Growth and Pride
For decades, Liberia’s natural beauty — from its Atlantic coastline to its lush rainforests — remained largely unexplored by the world due to war, under-investment, and weak marketing. But now, the government’s renewed push is transforming the narrative. With improved infrastructure, policy reforms, and a focus on cultural promotion, the country is signaling that it is ready for business. “
This milestone is a defining moment for Liberia’s tourism journey,” the LNTA release emphasized. “For the first time after 13 years, the nation will participate in the UN Tourism General Assembly, standing shoulder to shoulder with global peers.”
Deputy Director General Atty. Dogba Norris praised the development as “a turning point for Liberia’s image and economic outlook.” He stated the sector’s revival would not only attract investors and visitors but also restore national pride. “We are back where we belong on the world tourism stage,” he said. As Liberia reclaims its global role, the once-sleeping giant is awakening again, this time with a renewed sense of purpose. From its beaches and biodiversity to its rich history and creativity, the country is ready to tell a new story —one of strength and resurgence, not struggle.
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