-LNTA Seeks Increased FY-2027 Budget
The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) has called for a significant increase in its budgetary allocation for Fiscal Year 2027, saying greater investment is needed to move the tourism sector from institutional development to active economic growth.
Speaking at the FY2027 National Budget Hearing on Thursday, October 8, 2026, the LNTA Director General Princess Eva Cooper said Liberia must be more intentional about investing in tourism if the sector is to contribute meaningfully to economic transformation, job creation and private-sector growth.
“We have to be intentional about investing in our tourism sector,” Cooper said, as she outlined the Authority’s achievements, financial performance, operational challenges and priorities for the coming fiscal year.
According to the statement from the official Facebook page of the LNTA dated October 8, 2026, the proposed budget increase is expected to support the LNTA’s efforts to develop tourism infrastructure, strengthen destination marketing, attract investment and improve revenue generation.
Among the Authority’s priorities is the development and rehabilitation of key tourism sites, including Providence Island and other destinations across the country.
The LNTA also plans to strengthen Liberia’s destination branding and international visibility while developing market-ready tourism products capable of attracting both domestic and international visitors.
The Authority further identified private-sector investment as a critical component of tourism development, emphasizing the need to create an environment that encourages investors to participate in the sector.
The proposed allocation would also support public awareness campaigns, community participation and workforce development through tourism education.
Meanwhile, the LNTA is seeking additional support to strengthen inspections, regulatory compliance, revenue collection and tourism data management.
The Authority also cited critical operational, logistical and equipment gaps as some of the challenges affecting its ability to effectively implement its programs.
For his part, the Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan acknowledged the economic potential of tourism, emphasizing the need for greater attention to the sector.
“Tourism is the last in the ARREST Agenda, but it is not the least,” Minister Ngafuan said, stressing the importance of marketing and strategic investment in tourism as part of Liberia’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The FY-2027 budget hearing also highlighted the LNTA’s ongoing digital transformation efforts and its projections for tourism-related revenue.
The Authority believes increased public investment, combined with stronger private-sector participation, could help position Liberia as a more competitive tourism destination while creating employment opportunities and generating additional revenue for the national economy.
The LNTA’s proposal comes as the government seeks to advance tourism as one of the sectors capable of contributing to Liberia’s economic diversification and development.
