LIBERIA: TOURISM AUTHORITY TO CLAMP DOWN ON ILLEGAL BUSINESSES WITH ENFORCEMENT MEASURES
— Mary Ene
The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) is ramping up enforcement to ensure all tourism-related businesses, including hotels, travel agencies, and cultural organizations, are registered under the 2025 Liberia National Tourism Act, giving operators a 90-day grace period for compliance. Directo…
Monrovia, Liberia, March 22, 2026 – The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) is intensifying efforts to promote regulatory compliance and business registration across the country’s tourism sector, warning that unregistered operators will face strict enforcement measures.Established under the 2025 Liberia National Tourism Act, the LNTA serves as the government’s primary agency responsible for developing, regulating, and promoting tourism as a key driver of economic growth. The Act transitioned tourism oversight from the former Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism into a standalone authority.
Speaking over the weekend during an awareness campaign and roadshow in Monrovia, Director General Princess Eva Cooper disclosed that a significant number of tourism-related businesses including hotels, motels, travel agencies, cinemas, car rental services, and cultural organizations have yet to register with the Authority.
She emphasized that the LNTA is determined to “set the benchmark” through a strengthened regulatory framework that ensures illegal businesses do not deprive the government and citizens of rightful economic benefits.
As part of its enforcement strategy, Madam Cooper announced that LNTA inspection teams will begin visiting businesses across the sector to ensure compliance with registration requirements and operational standards.
“We expect resistance, and we are prepared for it. We have engaged stakeholders and will soon upload policies online so everyone understands what is required,” she said.
Under the new directive, tourism-related businesses will be granted a 90-day grace period to complete their registration. During this period, inspection teams will focus on public education and compliance monitoring
According to the LNTA boss, the initiative is also aimed at repositioning Liberia’s global image by highlighting its natural and historical attractions.
“The authority plans to expand its outreach across multiple counties to transition the country’s global image toward its natural and historical attractions. By fostering a compliant hospitality industry, we hope to rebrand the nation as a premier destination and significantly increase international visitor numbers,” she noted.
LIBERIA: TOURISM AUTHORITY TO CLAMP DOWN ON ILLEGAL BUSINESSES WITH ENFORCEMENT MEASURES