The Director General of the Liberia National Tourism Authority, Princess Eva Cooper, has called on investors and development partners to invest in priority tourism segments—including ecotourism, heritage sites, coastal tourism, MICE tourism, and tourism-enabling transport infrastructure—during the Liberia EU Business Forum held in Brussels, Belgium. She emphasized that support from the European Union is vital to transforming Liberia into a sustainable, high-value tourism hub that benefits Liberians while offering strong returns for visionary investors.
According to Madam Cooper, Liberia stands at a defining moment in its tourism development. With rich natural assets, a strong sustainability framework, and growing institutional support, the country is ready for strategic, long-term investment. She highlighted flagship opportunities including development of Providence Island, coastal and riverfront tourism projects, eco-lodges, surf tourism, and urban tourism regeneration initiatives.
The forum delegation was led by Board Chairman Ambassador Christopher Hayes Onanuga.
Madam Cooper also discussed NaturAfrica, an EU-led initiative supporting sub-Saharan African countries in protecting biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable nature-based economies. She noted that Liberia’s Sapo National Park and Gola Forest position the country to benefit from such initiatives.
She further referenced the Neighborhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), which supports countries facing long-term development challenges and contributes to achieving global development goals. According to her, this support is critical for strengthening the capacity of the LNTA.
“We are less than a year into our leadership, and we need capacity building to strengthen our tourism sector. Now is the time to invest in Liberia’s tourism sector—where nature, culture, climate resilience, and opportunity come together,” Madam Cooper stated.
She encouraged the EU to partner with the LNTA by deploying consultants to train tour guides, customer-service professionals, and private-sector operators, noting that improved service standards would enhance visitor experiences for diaspora Liberians, local citizens, and international tourists.
Madam Cooper stressed that Liberia’s unique cultural heritage—reflecting a history of resilience and integration among settlers, freed slaves, and indigenous communities—remains largely untold on the global stage.
“Our greatest asset is our people. That is why we are inviting the world to experience the authentic Liberian story through our culture and heritage,” she added, noting that Liberia’s National Tourism Export Strategy identifies tourism as a key driver of inclusive growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the European Union, hosted the Liberia-EU Business Forum 2026 in Brussels under the theme “The ARTS in the ARREST – Invest in Liberia 2026.” The forum highlighted investment opportunities aligned with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development; a five-year national plan aimed at driving inclusive growth and positioning Liberia toward middle-income status.
