Lawmaker hails passage of tourism bill.

Once the Senate concurs with the House of Representatives, the bill would be passed, establishing the National Tourism Authority of Liberia, which many believe would help create job opportunities in Liberia.

By Bridgett Milton 

Monrovia, September 4, 2024: Montserrado County Electoral District #17 Representative Bernard Blue Benson has hailed the passage of the National Tourism Authority bill as a breakthrough for Liberia’s tourism sector.

During its second day of the special legislative session, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill establishing the National Tourism Authority of Liberia.

In reaction, Mr. Benson said the passage of this bill would create job opportunities, contribute to local infrastructure, and generate income for the people of Liberia.

Rep. Benson submitted the bill to plenary on April 23, 2024, and forwarded it to the Committee on Information, Broadcast, Cultural Affairs and Tourism and the Judiciary Committee.

The Executive Branch of Government also submitted a similar Bill to establish the Liberia National Tourism Authority to plenary on April 30, 2024, thereby making it two separate bills.

The bills had the same objectives and were forwarded to the Committee on Information, Broadcast, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the Judiciary Committee, and the Committee on Internal Affairs.

After the Joint Committees on Judiciary, Internal Affairs, Information, Broadcast, Culture, and Tourism read their report, the plenary overwhelmingly passed the bill.

The passage followed recommendations in a report by the Joint Committee on Information, Broadcast, Culture and Tourism, Judiciary, and Internal Affairs.

According to the report, the bill went through a series of public hearings conducted among stakeholders and experts in the tourism sector.

Rep. Benson noted that the bill would create job opportunities and contribute to local infrastructure and income generation. 

The bill has been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.