Monaco, March 11, 2026 – Liberia’s Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Yorlay, today held a strategic meeting with Mr. Guy Antognelli, Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation in tourism development and the exchange of best practices between Liberia and the Principality of Monaco.
Ambassador Yorlay reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to developing a sustainable, high-value tourism sector under the Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. He emphasized the importance of eco-tourism, the promotion of cultural heritage, and strengthening international partnerships through the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA). The Ambassador highlighted Liberia’s rich biodiversity, pristine coastline, and unique cultural assets as key foundations for building a vibrant and competitive tourism industry.
The Ambassador also acknowledged Monaco’s global leadership in tourism, noting its recognition as Best European Destination 2025 and its strategic focus on long-haul markets, year-round tourism, and innovative digital promotion. He expressed Liberia’s strong interest in learning from Monaco’s experience in hosting major international conferences, high-profile events, and advancing sustainable destination management.
Discussions focused on practical avenues for collaboration, including capacity building, knowledge exchange, and potential joint initiatives to advance sustainable tourism practices. Ambassador Yorlay further proposed exploring a formal partnership between the Liberia National Tourism Authority and Monaco’s Tourism and Convention Authority to institutionalize technical exchanges and deepen strategic cooperation.
Mr. Antognelli welcomed the dialogue and reaffirmed Monaco’s commitment to international cooperation that promotes sustainability, innovation, and tourism development. He shared valuable insights into the promotion and management of successful tourism destinations, noting that three key pillars underpin a strong tourism industry:
A clear national tourism brand, which he described as the “DNA” of a country’s tourism sector and its unique identity in the global tourism market.
Connectivity, emphasizing the importance of well-functioning and internationally connected airports and a good road network, to facilitate the efficient movement of visitors.
A well-trained and knowledgeable workforce capable of delivering high-quality services across the tourism sector.
Mr. Antognelli also expressed his willingness to facilitate connections between the Embassy and major stakeholders in the tourism sector, both in Monaco and internationally. He noted that, through the appropriate diplomatic channels, Monaco would remain open to supporting Liberia’s efforts to strengthen and further develop its tourism industry.
Ambassador Yorlay informed about how Liberia is currently applying significant efforts to ensure that the country remains fully accessible and attractive to visitors throughout the year. He assured Mr. Antognelli of improved air connectivity and reliability of air links that are currently facilitating international travel and supporting the continuous growth of the tourism sector.
The meeting underscores Liberia’s ongoing efforts to expand international partnerships and position itself as an emerging tourism destination in West Africa, while leveraging expertise from world-class destinations such as Monaco to accelerate national tourism development.
