VICTORIA, Mahé, Seychelles – Liberia is positioning itself as a leading voice in Africa’s tourism transformation, with the Director General of the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), Princess Eva Cooper, calling on African governments to make transportation connectivity a central pillar of the continent’s tourism and economic development agenda.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Speaking during the 69th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) and the thematic conference on “Strengthening Human Capital to Boost Africa’s Tourism Growth,”
Cooper said Africa’s tourism ambitions will remain constrained unless governments invest in efficient transportation systems that allow people and businesses to move freely across the continent.
The high-level gathering, held from July 2 to 4 in Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, brought together tourism ministers, policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, and tourism experts to discuss strategies for expanding Africa’s tourism industry and strengthening regional cooperation.
Representing Liberia, Cooper stressed that improving transport infrastructure should become a continental priority alongside ongoing efforts to promote visa-free travel among African nations. According to her, opening borders alone will not produce the desired economic benefits if travelers continue to face expensive, complicated, and time-consuming journeys between neighboring countries.
She observed that Africa possesses enormous tourism potential, but poor connectivity continues to prevent many destinations from realizing their full economic value. She encouraged African governments to invest in stronger air transport networks while also expanding road and rail connections that can facilitate easier movement of tourists, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Using Liberia as an example, Cooper noted that traveling between some African countries often takes longer than traveling from Africa to Europe because of limited direct flight connections. She argued that reducing such barriers would encourage multi-destination tourism, strengthen regional trade, and create new employment opportunities across the continent.
The LNTA Director General also called for stronger political commitment from African leaders, urging governments to move beyond policy discussions and adopt concrete measures that improve transportation systems. She emphasized that closer collaboration among governments, regional institutions, airlines, and development partners will be essential to closing Africa’s longstanding connectivity gap.
According to Cooper, tourism has the potential to become one of Africa’s strongest engines of economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. However, she maintained that this vision can only be achieved through practical investments that make travel simpler, more affordable, and more efficient for both Africans and international visitors.
Liberia’s participation in the regional commission meeting reflects the country’s growing engagement in continental tourism initiatives and its commitment to working with international partners to promote sustainable tourism development. The government, she said, continues to advocate for policies that strengthen regional integration, improve destination competitiveness, and expand opportunities within Africa’s tourism sector.
Director General Cooper further stressed that improving connectivity should not be viewed solely as a tourism initiative but as a broader economic strategy capable of accelerating trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange across the continent.
She noted that when transportation systems are efficient and affordable, businesses expand more easily, entrepreneurs gain access to new markets, and tourists are encouraged to explore multiple African destinations instead of limiting their travel to a single country.
“We cannot continue celebrating the vision of a borderless Africa while our transportation systems remain fragmented and expensive. The success of the continent’s tourism industry will depend not only on our policies but also on our willingness to invest in the infrastructure that allows people to travel safely, efficiently, and affordably from one African nation to another.”
The Liberia Tourism Director General also encouraged African governments to strengthen collaboration with airlines, transport operators, investors, and regional economic communities to develop practical solutions that reduce travel costs and increase direct connections between African capitals.
She maintained that improved connectivity would create new opportunities for youth employment, boost local businesses, and increase the competitiveness of African destinations in the global tourism market.
“A tourist who wants to visit three African countries should not find it easier or cheaper to travel through another continent before reaching a neighboring African state. That reality highlights the urgency for African governments to rethink transportation policies and invest in stronger regional connectivity.”
Cooper concluded by reaffirming Liberia’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to regional initiatives aimed at transforming Africa’s tourism landscape. She said the country remains committed to working alongside international partners and fellow African nations to promote sustainable tourism development through stronger partnerships, improved infrastructure, and policies that make travel across the continent simpler and more attractive for both Africans and international visitors.
“Tourism has the power to unite Africa, create jobs, preserve our cultural heritage, and stimulate economic growth. However, none of these opportunities can be fully realized if travellers continue to face unnecessary transportation barriers. Our collective responsibility is to build an Africa where movement is easy, opportunities are shared, and tourism becomes a true engine of continental prosperity.”
The annual UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa meeting serves as one of the continent’s principal platforms for tourism policymakers to evaluate challenges, share best practices, and develop coordinated strategies aimed at advancing sustainable tourism and economic transformation across Africa.
