Access to tourist sites tops tourism challenges

The 2015 World Tourism Day was commemorated on September 18, 2015, on the theme: “One billion tourists, one billion opportunities.”

Cameroon is described as “Africa in Miniature” because it offers all major characteristics that can be found in other countries on the continent: a highly diverse cultural background with more than 200 ethnic groups and over 233 languages, exceptional geological, ecological and botanic potentials, wildlife in its natural form and varied climatic conditions.

This is the main reason why tourism is ranked the 10th priority of President Paul Biya. The objective is to make Cameroon a leading tourist destination.

During a public lecture in Bonanjo, Douala, on September 18, 2015, on the stakes and challenges of tourism in the country, presided by the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri, Naseri Paul Béa, the panel of specialists agreed on the same point.

Emmanuel Blaise Ngaleu Djielom, Wouri Delegate of Tourism and Leisure; Prof. Emmanuel Djuatio, Micro-economist; Piga Boniface, Tourism Expert; and Wouassom Jean, Consultant and Moderator; were unanimous that the effective development of tourism is hindered by access and improvement problems.

Prof. Emmanuel Djuatio said tourism makes up for 2 percent of the national budget, far from the 10 percent and above which should make Cameroon a tourism destination. The littoral section of the country, the experts pointed out, boasts of an extensive coastline marked by grayish yellow fine sand, with a good site for sea and beach-loving visitors, but there is need for development.

According to the World Bank, the number of tourists in Cameroon in 2013 was 912,000. In the Far North Region, which is prone to constant terrorist attacks, hotel occupancy received a major blow. Estimates from various reports concluded that a drastic fall occurred “in the occupancy levels of some hotels, falling from 90 percent to 30 percent.”

On the other hand, 817,000 tourists visited the country in 2012. With the threat of Boko Haram, the objective to welcome two million tourists in 2015, announced by Prime Minister Philemon Yang, seems far-fetched.