Minister Eugene Nagbe (right) and UNTWO Secretary General Taleb Rifai during the presentation ceremony in London.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has expressed firm commitment to boost efforts being made by Liberia to become a prime tourism destination.

The Secretary General of the UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, in a deeply reflective outlook, intimated that Liberia has always had a special relationship with the organization,  stressing that Liberia represents a ‘Story of Pride’ on the African continent.

Speaking in  London on Wednesday, November 9, when he received Liberia’s five-year Tourism Trade Strategy and Plan of Action, presented by Information Minister Eugene Nagbe, Mr. Rifai laid out an exhaustive and collaborative approach that positions the UNWTO at the heart of Liberia’s efforts toward attracting international visitors to its pristine beaches, historical and cultural sites along with its huge eco-tourism possibilities.

The UNWTO chief scribe also suggested that Liberia’s approach must be focused on a particular area within its rich tourism sector.

He assured of the organization’s commitment in providing technical and financial collaboration in its quest to move to the nerve center of global tourism attraction; promising to rationalize  Liberia’s financial obligation to the World Tourism body .

Mr. Rifai offered to visit Liberia to set the tune in driving  Liberia’s re-engagement efforts.

Speaking earlier,  Information and Tourism Minister Eugene Lenn Nagbe, in London attending the UNWTO – Market Ministerial Summit on Global Tourism, posited that Liberia’s five-year Tourism and Trade  Strategy and Plan of Action explains key priority areas in projecting the country as a competitive tourism destination.

“Tourism, we have determined, can be a vital catalyst to Liberia’s economic recovery while exploring our untapped potential,” Minister Nagbe stressed.

Minister Nagbe asserted that the document was carved with the emerging dyamnics and critical protocols that continue to promote global tourism and trade among nations and peoples of the world.

Minister Nagbe made a passionate plea for technical collaboration and other interventions by the UN body to advance Liberia’s case.

He urged the UNWTO to rationalized Liberia’s financial obligation with the organization as it moves to chart a new and progressive course in re-energizing  its huge tourism potential.

Minister Nagbe listed the country’s vast coastline  and pristine beaches, attracting global competitive surfers, natural reserves  that continue to  attract international visitation and most importantly, a peacful and hospitable population as some of its key assets .

Minister Nagbe welcomed the UNWTO official offer to visit Liberia and deepen Liberia’s tourism appeal. The visit, he said, will further validate Liberia’s momentum and renewed tourism direction.

Albert Kjlatoe Jaja