The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) marked World Tourism Day 2026 on Monday with the introduction of two digital tourism tools: Unforgettable Liberia and the MEL Data Suite. The event, held under the theme "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism," brought together government officials, tourism stakeholders, and development partners. This celebration follows the global observance of World Tourism Day on September 27.
World Tourism Day has been observed annually since 1980, highlighting tourism's economic, cultural, and social contributions to sustainable development. Acting Director General of LNTA, Hon. Melvin Nye, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of innovation, partnerships, and increased visibility in advancing Liberia's tourism industry. The Presidential Proclamation on World Tourism Day 2026 was read by Student Nelson S. Kanneh of Levi C. Williams High School.
The program featured a keynote address by Paul Wungko on "Digital Transformation and the Future of Liberia's Tourism." Wungko discussed how travelers discover, plan, and experience destinations, stressing that Liberia must have reliable digital tools and accurate information to remain visible throughout the travel journey. He also highlighted the potential of digital platforms to increase the visibility of small and community-based tourism businesses.
A major highlight of the observance was the official launch of the two LNTA digital tourism initiatives. The MEL Data Suite, presented by Dogba A. Norris, Director General for Planning, Research and Development at LNTA, aims to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning while supporting the use of tourism data for informed decision-making.
The Unforgettable Liberia platform serves as a digital gateway for discovering Liberia's tourism offerings, featuring destinations, tourism experiences, and tourism professionals. It is designed to connect visitors with tourism operators and provide information to help travelers plan their experiences in Liberia. The launch of these digital initiatives is part of LNTA's efforts to modernize the tourism sector.
The ceremony brought together a broad range of stakeholders and guests, including Nathaniel Barnes, former Minister of Finance; Clarine Simpson, Managing Partner of MSI Africa; and Mr. Ambrose Wigle, former Director of Tourism. The event demonstrated the collaborative efforts to promote and develop Liberia's tourism sector through technology and data.
The LNTA's efforts to modernize the tourism sector aim to improve how tourism information is collected, managed, analyzed, and communicated, while increasing Liberia's visibility as a tourism destination. The introduction of these digital tools is expected to enhance the overall tourism experience in Liberia and support the sector's contribution to the country's economic growth and development.
Key points
- LNTA launches Unforgettable Liberia and MEL Data Suite to boost tourism sector
- World Tourism Day 2026 celebrated in Liberia with focus on digital agenda and AI
- Digital tools aim to increase Liberia's visibility as a tourism destination and support sector growth
