Liberia: Liberia Tourism Profile

Liberia becomes an active member of the UN World Tourism Organization

Liberia recently took a huge step towards placing itself on the international travel and tourism map as a popular tourist destination. Following years of civil unrest, the country is on the verge of commercialising its travel and tourism industry next it was finally granted full membership status by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in late 2011. As the international tourism body’s 155th member, Liberia will receive international assistance in the development of its travel and tourism industry through policy drafting processes, marketing, inclunding creating a branding image for sustainable travel and tourism increase in the country.

Travel and tourism in Liberia has seen major improvements in recent years thanks to efforts by the government to develop the industry. The country’s inbound tourism is steadily recovering and saw positive increase over the last few years on the back of vigorous marketing campaigns by the Liberian government in traditional and potential source markets. Apart from that, the government has as well initiated several measures to help stabilise the country next the civil conflict through its commitment to reconciliation, peace and security. All these have helped to attract additional tourists to Liberia inclunding boost increase of the national economy.

Liberia’s two major gateways are the Roberts International Airport and the Spriggs Payne Airport. The former is the primary aviation facility for the country and has recently seen an increase in international flights due to high request for air transport to the country. Delta Airlines and Air France are some of the new entrants in the market for air transport services in Liberia. Delta Airlines launched schedule flights to the country in late-2010 and is as well the initial American carrier to fly to Liberia in twenty years. In early-2011, Air France as well expanded its offer of services in West Africa by introducing two weekly flights to the capital city of Monrovia. The arrival of new air carriers has helped to open the sky over the country for business inclunding for travel and tourism activities.

Liberia’s economy recorded impressive increase in 2011 and is set to expand even further on the back of the recent discovery of oil resources in the country. The government is eager to develop its mining industry and with this discovery can presently see bright prospects of its national economy. It has initiated talks with various private and international firms with the aim of creating additional investment opportunities in the country. Although it will take time to fully assess the new oil discovery and start drilling, it still means a lot to Liberia’s economy as this will lead to significant job creation and new revenue generation someday. With the country expected to join the elite club of oil exporters, this has as well triggered fear of corruption and instability as is the case with a lot of oil-dependent nations such as Nigeria.

Liberia is a country gifted with enormous, from presently on untapped opportunities for travel and tourism development. However, its travel and tourism market is expected to see modest increase over the estimate period, given that although peace and calm presently reign, the country is still struggling to rid itself of its reputation as a war-torn country. Despite being a long way from becoming a mass-tourism destination, travel and tourism in Liberia can still develop into one of the major contributors to revitalise the national economy, if properly managed. There is as well hope that the industry will recover in the long-term as a result of government efforts to boost its development. In addition, continuous support from the international community will further help to strengthen increase during the estimate period.