Published: February 27, 2026
MONROVIA — Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has called on the Liberian Senate to take decisive legislative and budgetary action to accelerate the development of the country’s tourism sector, warning that without sustained investment and strategic planning Liberia risks missing opportunities to unlock a key driver of economic growth.
Presiding over Thursday’s Senate session in his capacity as President of the Liberian Senate, Koung urged lawmakers to ensure stronger financial backing for tourism initiatives through the national budget.
“Meaningful progress in tourism development will require intentional planning, decisive action and sustained financial commitment,” the Vice President told senators.
His remarks came as officials from the newly established Liberia Tourism Authority, along with Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, appeared before the chamber to brief lawmakers on progress made and outline strategic plans aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s tourism industry.
Ducor Palace, Hotel Africa Highlighted
During the session, Koung pointed to Liberia’s long-neglected tourism infrastructure as a major barrier to growth, citing the abandoned Ducor Palace Hotel and the deteriorating Hotel Africa complex as examples of untapped national assets.
Both properties were once iconic hospitality landmarks but have remained largely unused for decades.
The Vice President said reviving such facilities would require large-scale investment and a more aggressive approach to attracting private capital.
“We must consider meeting investors halfway,” Koung said, suggesting that the government pursue public-private partnerships to rehabilitate the properties.
He indicated that restoring the facilities to international standards could require investments exceeding US$100 million.
“If we do not take bold steps, our tourism ambitions will continue to lag behind,” he warned.
Call for Tourism Diversification
Beyond the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, Koung encouraged policymakers to broaden Liberia’s tourism offerings by exploring new attractions that could draw both domestic and international visitors.
Among the ideas he highlighted was the development of boat ride tourism, an activity popular in many global tourism destinations.
However, he cautioned that such initiatives would require significant upgrades to national infrastructure, particularly bridges and access roads, to guarantee safety and convenience for tourists.
Visa Policy Reform Suggested
Koung also emphasized that policy reforms would be necessary to make Liberia more competitive as a tourism destination.
He called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review the country’s visa regime and consider measures to simplify entry procedures for international visitors.
“Simplifying and streamlining visa processes could significantly enhance Liberia’s appeal as a destination for international tourists and business travelers,” he noted.
According to Koung, tourism development should be treated as a cross-sectoral national priority involving coordinated action among government agencies responsible for infrastructure, investment promotion, immigration and foreign affairs.
Strategic Opportunity for Economic Growth
Tourism is widely viewed as a potential engine for economic diversification in Liberia, offering opportunities for job creation, foreign exchange earnings and rural development.
The Vice President’s remarks signaled growing pressure within government circles for a more structured and well-funded strategy to transform the sector.
Officials of the Liberia Tourism Authority used the Senate hearing to outline preliminary plans aimed at repositioning the country as a viable tourism destination in West Africa.
Koung, however, stressed that vision alone would not deliver results without concrete financial commitments.
“Tourism is capital-intensive,” he said, urging lawmakers to match policy ambitions with real investment.
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