Cameroon: Launch of Tourism Development Programme

allafrica.com

A new marketing and promotions strategy is being developed to enhance Cameroon's attractiveness as a tourist destination.

This project, financed by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation, is aimed at helping the West African state in its economic diversification programme by developing the tourism sector. The initiative is a collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Cameroon.

The programme aims to rejuvenate the economy and create jobs. Related sectors such as transportation, financial services, agro-industry and handicrafts will also benefit from an increase in tourist arrivals.

Tourist attractions in Cameroon include wildlife, beaches, mountains and African arts and culture.

Chanda Musonda Chellah, Trade Adviser in the Secretariat's Special Advisory Services Division, said the image of the country "is not sufficiently projected on the global market and this has led to a smaller influx of tourists visiting the country. By identifying and promoting niche areas in Cameroon, the country will soon be one of the top destinations of choice for travellers."

The European tourist market is also being analysed, to establish potential marketing tools for Cameroon. At the moment, the Ministry of Tourism has representatives based in embassies including France and the United States, as well as high commissions such as the United Kingdom, to promote Cameroon as a tourist destination. However, this can only attract a limited number of people. The project is therefore recommending the internet as a cost-effective tool.

Currently the Ministry of Tourism is solely responsible for marketing tourism in Cameroon. Officers working on the project are looking at ways to set up a commercially driven organisation to promote tourism, which will be supervised by the Ministry, but wholly focused on commercial needs.

Mukete Daniel, an inspector in charge of good governance at the Ministry of Tourism in Cameroon, is directly responsible for working alongside the Secretariat on the project.

"The Commonwealth has developed similar successful projects for other destinations like Seychelles. Cameroon is an attractive nation to tourists. In the face of other competing destinations, we think if the image of Cameroon is examined and we have a brand that is effectively marketed, then we will be able to distinguish ourselves," he said.

Printable Version | published Aug 22, 2007

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