Interviewed by Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon.
Cameroon’s Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Bello Bouba Maigari is confident that the country’s tourism sector is making inroads within and out of the country. He saw in Cameroon’s bid and successful hosting of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) congress for the third time in twenty-six years, a milestone in the country’s quest to implant herself in the international tourism industry. In the heart of the 38th ATA congress, which took place from October 15 – 23 2013 at the Buea Mountain Hotel, Bello Bouba granted this exclusive interview to Icameroon.com. Amongst other issues discussed, the Leisure and Tourism boss mentioned the need for the stakeholders in the tourism sector in Cameroon to constantly keep in touch with their foreign partners and what is being done in the country to boost the tourism department.
Excerpts:
Cameroon's Minister of Tourism Bello Bouba Maigariin (in white gandoura) during Africa Travel Association Congress in Buea.
What motivated Cameroon to once more host the ATA congress, the 38th edition?
We are promoting the tourist destination – Cameroon to the biggest tourism market in the world, the North American and Canadian markets. Having all the people, who attended the congress, from all parts of the world, is very important for Cameroon. Cameroon has hosted ATA congresses two times already. This time around, we are here to discover another part of our country, the beautiful region of the Southwest. For the past six months, ATA has been on a positive campaign for Cameroon’s tourism and a destination. This is amongst a contract package between Cameroon and ATA. It is bearing the much needed fruit for our country, it is giving credence to our slogan that Cameroon is Africa in miniature. We are looking forward to take subsequent congresses and other associations to other parts of Cameroon.
How is the government of Cameroon tackling the challenges faced by the country’s tourism industry; poor road network infrastructure, approximate services in some cases, inadequate communication facilities and more?
This venue, where we are – Buea Mountain Hotel (rebuilt) is the best example of what the government is doing to build the country’s tourism sector. For more than a decade, this hotel was dead. We are increasing what we call the tourist’s offer, the infrastructure in terms of hotel, renovating the historic Mountain Hotel, re-engaging in the refurbishing of the slave port in Bimbia, Limbe are critical. That is why the government of Cameroon via the President of the Republic asked that the congress be hosted in this part of the country.
What do you expect from the stakeholders in the tourism sector in Cameroon?
We expect the operators in the sector to be constantly in touch with their partners; from the USA, the African continent and other parts of the world so as to be able to attract more tourists into our country.
How ready is the government of Cameroon to host the celebrations marking the reunification of Cameroon in Buea, Southwest, which is another huge opportunity for tourism?
What we are doing in the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure are instructions from the government of Cameroon. Recently, the President of the Republic, Paul Biya reminded us that celebrations marking the reunification of Cameroon will take place in Buea, the Southwest Regional capital with the long history we all know of. There are ongoing projects in Buea and its environs for the reunification celebrations, tourism is not left out. A lot of hotels have been built both at the private and public sectors. The road infrastructure in Buea municipality is been improved and other related structures to ensure that Buea is ready for the event.
What is being done in the international scene to make tourists come to Cameroon?
The Executive Director of ATA, Edward Bergman said it all at the opening ceremony of the 38th Congress of ATA. We have a partnership with them to position our image and tourism sector in the international arena. You will recall two years ago, we began having huge number of tourists, especially African Americans coming to Cameroon. They are coming in their numbers to discover that their forefathers and their ancestors came from Cameroon. That is an indication that we are making inroads in the international tourism market.
