As MICAT Launches Reactivation Of Tourism Working Group To Foster ARREST AGENDA
PHOTO: Min. Jerolimenk Piah
By Amara Konneh
The ministry will not again remain dormant in guiding the tourism sector; MICAT will join hands with all of the partners to identify the challenges, mitigate the obstacles, identify opportunities and ensure the growth of the sector for a win-win of all.
MONROVIA, (LINA)- In an effort to promote the Government of Liberia ARREST Agenda as tourism being considered as of the key pillars for sustainable and economic development, the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs Tourism has reactivated the sector working group aim at coordinating with partners for the growth of the Liberian Economy.
Speaking at the official lunch of the reactivation program held on Thursday, 4th 2024, the Minister of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Jerolimenk Piah has underscored the need for coordination and leadership oversight in the sector and ensure that all governmental institutions, bilateral and multilateral organisations, private sector players and civil society in synergy and collaboration.
Minister Piah added the Ministry of Information has decided to form the Liberia Tourism Sector Working Group not only bring all the players of this important sector together under one platform that will work together in making the tourism industry an economically viable for sustainable development as pillar of the ARREST Agenda.
He said the ministry will not again remain dormant in guiding the tourism sector; MICAT will join hands with all of the partners to identify the challenges, mitigate the obstacles, identify opportunities and ensure the growth of the sector for a win-win of all.
Minister Piah emphasized that the President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai has placed a keen interest in the tourism sector as one of the major priorities in the national development agenda for first time in Liberia’s 177th years of existence.
“The reasons behind the establishment of this group includes serving as the highest level avenue and forum for the review and coordination of tourism policies, coordinating programs, activities, interventions and financing of the tourism sector and deriving policies and recommend regulations to allow the tourism private sector to strive”. Minister Piah asserted.
He further mentioned that Liberia’s Development Partners, the European Union, USIAD, World Bank, African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme have invested tremendous resources to conservation activities through governmental institutions and international organisations, adding, the conservation of biodiversity is an essential element for eco-tourism.
For his part, the Vice President of Liberia National Tourism Association, Rudolph Antoune said that Liberia has a variable tourism sector that be shown to others for economic benefits, the sector is attractive to show, and people are ready to pay to come and see and enjoy it. The country is blessed with things to show; rich history, rich culture, beaches, lakes, waterfalls, lagoons, and so many sites that could generate tens of millions of dollars yearly for the people of Liberia.
VP Antoune expressed his gratitude and overzealous excitement to be part of this group as he assures the public to count on him for his full support and collaboration to work together towards achieving their common goal, which is to make Liberia world class authentic and sustainable tourism and eco-tourism destination.
LINA/AK