By Walter Wilson Nana
The Cameroon tourism sector is sick. So, the men and women involved are on their feet looking out for new ideas.
That is the kernel of a three-day seminar, July 11 – 13 2012, organised by the Ministry of Tourism & Leisure and a consultancy firm, VIDA Management International at the Buea Chariot Hotel.
Bello Bouba Maigari, Minister of State in charge of Tourism & Leisure at the capacity building seminar in Buea
At the launch of the seminar, Minister of State in charge of Tourism and Leisure, Bello Bouba Maigari said after Yaounde in 2009, Douala in 2010, here they are in Buea to inform and educate operators in the tourism sector on the new techniques of receiving and managing customers.
According to the Tourism & Leisure boss, since 2010, Cameroon is a tourist destination, thanks to the recommendation of the International Tourists Board, yet Cameroon is not adequately exploiting the opportunities vis-a-vis the other competitors.
He blamed those who are amateurish in the sector, while calling on them to take advantage of such capacity building opportunities to equip themselves and make a difference in their activities. “We’ve to build capacity in order to promote professionalism and good quality services,” he said.
Bello Bouba said the partnership between his ministry and VIDA Management International is aimed at re-positioning the tainted image of the Cameroon tourism industry, especially in the fast-paced tourism sector in the world.
Stakeholders of the tourism sector pose for a family picture with the Tourism & Leisure Minister Bello Bouba Maigari
The Tourism & Leisure Minister invited managers of touristic establishments in the Southwest Region to stand-up to the challenges, especially as they warm up to the Reunification celebrations of Cameroon due to take place in Buea in the course of 2012. “You’ve to make the expected difference, be receptive and give precise answers to your customers,” Bello Bouba advised.
The General Manager of VIDA Management International, David Masanga said his firm is working hand-in-glove with the Ministry of Tourism & Leisure to sensitise, build capacity and technically prepare operators in the tourism industry to better handle their businesses and take good care of their customers. “Touristic institutions must offer good customer services. That is our preoccupation. We’re out to give good and targeted information to tourists managers. We’re working with the Ministry of Tourism to build the capacity of staff, to give them a vision and a strategy to move forward,” he mentioned.
The VIDA Management International executive said they have come with an internationally recognised seven-step management procedure to the participants to help them move forward in their endeavours. These include; change of attitude/mentality, how to carter for different types of customers, how to welcome a customer, manage situation of conflicts within hotel staff, hotel staff and the customer(s), the working atmosphere within staff and more.
Masanga expressed dissatisfaction that the image of Cameroon is very poor in the outside world, especially from the corruption perspective. “Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to change. How can the negative image be changed?” he questioned.
The Chair of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners in the Southwest Region and Proprietor, South Atlantic Hotel, Limbe, Thaddeus Nfor said the seminar is relevant in a Region like theirs, where quality and professional services are wanting. “This is an opportunity to enhance productivity and technique of operations in the tourism industry,” he noted.
He expressed happiness that the professional schools that were lacking in the past, reason for some of the poor services and work attitude is now changing, with the creation of tourism oriented institutions. “Let the participants leave this training gathering and be better at their operation stations,” he advised.
Earlier, the Deputy Mayor of Buea Municipality, Elizabeth Lifongo mentioned that the Southwest Region is endowed with exotic touristic sites but the absence of good road network is a hindrance to its development.
During the three-day seminar, participants were schooled on various topics. These included; Professional Ethics In The Hotel Industry, Reception Norms In The Hotel Industry & Safety Of Tourists, Tourist Communication & Information, Hygiene In Hotels and The Client & The Quality Of Service.
