LIBERIA: Tourism Potential Should Be Explored

Robertsport, the capital City of Grand Cape Mount County, may be underdeveloped, yet still the city has a huge potential for tourism that has over the years remained untapped.

A home to the Vai people, Robertsport is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and a variety of beautiful natural sceneries ranging from Lake Piso to the city’s spectacularly clean white beaches to the rainforest –all of which make the city an ideal spot for hotels and resorts, which will bring in good returns for sector related business enterprises.

Apart from these, the city has a lot of attractions for tourists ranging from Bay Mouth – an area where Lake Piso and other bodies of water enter the Atlantic Ocean, a majestic and unique view as the gigantic waves of the Atlantic mix with the smaller waves coming from Lake Piso, to a visit to the Massatin Island by canoe, a haven for monkeys and bird species.

Bay Mouth, which is accessible only by foot, is a perfect place to sit and just relax, making it an ideal spot for a five star hotel or resort.

Robertsport, named after the first president of Liberia Joseph Jenkins Roberts, possesses one of the country’s richest nature reserves in terms of unique wildlife, flora and fauna, including geological formations.

The city, which is about 2-3 hours drive from the capital Monrovia, is rich in heritage tourism considering the plantation-style houses – although decrepit, reminiscent of the southern part of the United States.

From the famous ruins of the allied air forces during World War II to a cultural center, Lanefort and Brunt Memorial Hall, which dates back to the early 19th century but still intact, the city is proof of the country’s rich potential for tourism.

Robertsport is, however, a case study of the then class system that existed in the country for over a century, evidenced by its ruins that were inhibited by Americo-Liberians.

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in 2012, 63.6 million international tourists visitors arrived in Africa helping countries like Egypt to generate ($9.94 billion), followed by South Africa ($9.994 billion), Morocco ($6.711 billion), Tunisia ($2.183 billion), Tanzania ($1.564 billion) and Mauritius ($1.477 billion).

The report added that the economic potential of tourism is remarkable, with direct and indirect impact on employment. In Africa alone, travel and tourism generated 8.2 million direct jobs in 2012.

Against this backdrop, Robertsport’s future looks bright when one considers the city’s rich tourism potential when developed, which will create a profound impact on the society and economy.

However, regardless of the city being blessed with unique natural settings and a rich cultural heritage, it is unable to cash in on these resources due to the absence of infrastructural development and basic social amenities.

Although tourists’ expectations of Robertsport will not be fully met, as the tourism sites in the city are not properly taken care of or preserved, the city still receives a large number of foreigners each weekend who want to enjoy its once in a lifetime tourism experience.

Robertsport is also the best area in Liberia for surfing, canoeing and water skiing.

Meanwhile, attempts to speak with the city’s administrators were fruitless..

LIBERIA: Brussels Airlines Doubles Flight Frequencies To Monrovia And Freetown

The airline wants to support the economic recovery of the region-Brussels Airlines will double its flights to Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Monrovia (Liberia). From 8 September, the two West African countries were connected to Brussels Airport four times instead of twice a week. “We have not turned our backs on these two countries during the Ebola outbreak and we will fully support them in their economic recovery”, says Brussels Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Lars Redeligx who spent the past few days visiting Sierra Leone to monitor the situation firsthand.

Liberia was declared Ebola-free a few months ago, while the number of new contaminations in Sierra Leone is declining. Both countries are preparing for their economic recovery and Brussels Airlines would like to support this recovery by increasing its flight offer and offering more connections between the two countries and the rest of the world.

Four flights a week
As from 8 September, the flight frequencies to Sierra Leone and Monrovia doubled, from two to four times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), offering much more flexibility and choice for passengers as well as freight. All flights can be combined with other Brussels Airlines destinations from Brussels Airport to several other destinations in France, the UK, Germany, Swiss, Italy, Scandinavia and the US.

Supporting the economic recovery
“This is an important investment of Brussels Airlines in the accessibility of both countries, which is absolutely indispensable now that the region is working hard on its economic revival”, says Lars Redeligx. “As the only European carrier we have never ceased to operate flights to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea during the Ebola crisis and have transported more than 80,000 passengers and 2,000 tons of freight to the region, most of which were humanitarian aid supplies.”

The three Ebola stricken countries are doing everything in their power to get back on track as soon as possible, since the Ebola epidemic has not only disrupted the lives of its inhabitants, but it has also caused major economic damage. “During our visits to the countries we have we have witnessed firsthand the professionalism with which the local authorities and aid organizations are handling the crisis. We are happy that as an airline, we too can contribute and we have received much recognition and gratitude, which I want to share with our crews and ground staff who have made it possible for us to conitnue our operations.

After having expanded our flight schedule to Guinea a few weeks ago, we look forward to also operate more flights again to Sierra Leone and Monrovia. Good flight connections are a must to make the development of both countries possible. We also actively continue to pursue our “Africa Is Not Ebola” awareness campaign and we are plan an economic mission to the region later this year, together with NGO’s and other companies.

NIGERIA: Arik Air Resumes Flight Services To Monrovia

Flights to Monrovia were suspended in July 2014 in the wake of the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in some West African countries.

Arik Air will be operating three weekly flights from Lagos to Monrovia via Accra, Ghana on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Outbound flights will depart the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7:20 am (local time) and arrive in Accra at 7:20 am (local time).

The flight leaves Accra at 8:05 am (local time) and arrives in Monrovia at 10:05 am (local time). Inbound flights will leave Monrovia at 10:50 am (local time) to arrive in Accra at 12:50 pm (local time). The flight thereafter departs Accra at 1:35 pm (local time) to arrive in Lagos at 3:35 pm (local time).

The route will be serviced with a Boeing 737-700 Next Generation (NG) aircraft configured to seat 12 passengers in Business Class and 112 passengers in Economy Class.

Arik Air’s Deputy Managing Director/Senior Vice President Operations, Captain Ado Sanusi commented:

“We are pleased to welcome back our passengers on the Lagos-Monrovia route and want to assure them that their safety and security is always our top priority.”

QATAR: Qatar Completes Inter-line Agreement With Air Maroc

Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc have announced a bilateral codeshare agreement.

The inter-line agreement with Air Maroc will take effect from tomorrow, connecting the two carrier routes between Qatar and Morocco on Royal Air Maroc operation across West Africa.

Passenger can now book single itinerary connecting Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc with one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in.

Qatar Airways travellers travelling to Casablanca will now be able to connect onto the West African cities of Cotonou, Ouagadougou, Praia, Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, Abidjan, Libreville, Banjul, Conakry, Bissau, Monrovia, Bamako, Niamey, Lagos, Nouakchott, Freetown and Lomé.

Passengers will also be able to travel onwards to Marrakech within Morocco, Agadir, Tangier, Guelmime, Tan Tan, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Fes, Errachidia, Oujda, Nador, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Laayounte, Dakhla and Beni Mellal.

Royal Air Maroc will launch its thrice-weekly B787 operation to Doha on September 9,

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “The launch of this codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc is great news for our business passengers who frequently travel on Qatar Airways, as they will be able to connect seamlessly onwards to almost 20 destinations across the West African region.”