Valletta, Malta – Liberia is strengthening its push to grow the tourism sector after securing a new international partnership with Malta, one of Europe’s most successful tourism destinations.
Although Malta has a population of just over 520,000 people, the country attracts more than 4.5 million visitors each year and earns an estimated €3-5 billion annually from tourism. The sector contributes close to 20 percent of Malta’s GDP, making it a major pillar of the country’s economy.
Inspired by Malta’s success, the Liberia National Tourism Authority is now looking to apply similar strategies that can help Liberia create jobs, build skills, and expand opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.
During a recent official visit to Malta, Princess Eva Cooper signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Tourism Studies, one of the country’s leading institutions for tourism and hospitality education.
The agreement, signed alongside ITS Chief Executive Officer Pierre Fenech, focuses on developing Liberia’s tourism workforce through training, internships, and international exposure.
Under the partnership, Liberian students and young professionals will have the opportunity to study and gain practical experience within Malta’s hospitality industry. The goal is to equip participants with the skills and global standards needed to strengthen Liberia’s growing tourism sector.
The initiative is also expected to create employment opportunities through placements with major Maltese hospitality companies, including the AX Group, which owns several hotels and tourism properties across Malta.
Princess Eva Cooper described the agreement as more than just a partnership, saying it creates a direct link between Liberia and international opportunities in tourism and hospitality.
The partnership also includes support for curriculum development, institutional strengthening, and faculty exchanges in Liberia. Discussions are additionally underway on the possibility of establishing a branch campus of the Institute of Tourism Studies in Liberia, which would allow more young people to access internationally recognized tourism education without leaving the country.
The visit marks another step in Liberia’s efforts to position tourism as a key driver of economic growth, youth employment, and skills development.
