Abstract

Tourism involves the temporarily movement of people to destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in these destinations and the facilities created to carter for their needs.

Economic growth is the increase in capacity of an economy to produce goods and services – Tourism industry is recognized as a sector which supports and sustained economic growth recording important increases in different parts of the world. It has proven to be effective as a agent for sustainable growth in both developed regions and in developing or poor regions e.g. Africa or Asia.

The broad objective of this study is to asses the contribution of tourism to the development of Cameroon and Douala in particular. However, reference would be made to other countries in order to understand the notion of tourism so as to enrich our study. The study finds out that tourism has contributed both positively and negatively to the socio-economic development of Cameroon, through it remains one of the least developed sectors in Cameroon.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

There is no consensus concerning the definition of tourism. The definition of tourism varies from sources to sources, persons by persons. Nearly every institution or persons defines tourism differently Hunziker and Krapt, (1941:15) defines tourism as “the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non –residents.

In so far as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity. In 1936 the League of Nations defined a tourist as “some one traveling abroad for at least twenty tourism hours” It’s successor (UNO, 1945:9) amended this definition by including a maximum stay of six months.

In order to prevent this discord to define tourism, since the term has been addressed differently by some writers and institutions, the United Nations World Organization known by its acronym UNWTO (1995:10), defines tourism as, “Tourism comprises of the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one conservative year for leisure, business and other purposes”. From the definition three criteria are used simultaneously in order to characterize a trip as belonging to tourism.

The displacement must be such that, it involves a displacement outside the usual environment. The type of purpose, which require that the travel must occur for any purpose different from being remunerated from within the place visited and finally duration, which is said to be maximal not minimal. Tourism displacement can be with or without an over night stay (UNWTO, 1995:10).

Of importance is the fact that tourism is a silent platform for diversifying the economy of developing countries among, which Cameroon is not exempted. It also enhances tranquility among, countries that participate in tourism.

Development on the other hand is an important factor in the economic success of any nation; this is because it has to do with long-run rise in the capacity of a nation to supply increasingly diverse economic goods to its population using advance technology. Tourism industry is recognized by specialist as a sector, which support and sustain economic development recording important increases in different parts of the world.

Tourism in Cameroon is a growing but relatively minor industry since the 1970s the government of Cameroon has cultivated the industry by creating a ministry of tourism and by encouraging investments by our lines, hotels and travel agencies.

The government describes the country as “Africa in miniature” promoting its diversity of climate, culture and Geography. Cameroon’s wildlife draws both safari – goers and big-game hunters as Cameroon is home to many of Africa’s iconic animals. Apart from wildlife facilities, Cameroon equally provides touristic sides through activities such as maritime transport, seaports, airways found in areas like Douala and Yaounde (http://www//wikipedia.Tourism in Cameroon, January 5th 2015)

Though not a regular tourist destination, Douala with its large number of beaches and local markets has one ample potential to be a touristic site. Douala, the industrial capital of Cameroon has not been in the tourist map much. But the sand kissed beaches, local markets, which breathe local flavor and other places of interest has all the necessary ingredients to make it into a tourist paradise. The city of Douala is home to Cameroon largest seaport presently, which provides access to almost 96% of the maritime sea traffic that comes to Cameroon in an Article (Cameroon-today.com).

Among the many tourism industries found in the city of Douala is Cameron Horizon, which is a company having its objective as the organization of tours operators. Some touristic sites found in Douala are: museum maritime, catholic cathedral, palace of King Dika Akwa Palace, the monument of new liberties Rond point. The monument of allied forces in Bononjo, the Wouri Estuary, Handicraft center (Marche de fleur).

Tourism in Cameroon is governed by a Ministry of Tourism headed by Minister of Tourism and Leisure.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Cameroon has over these years experienced Boom-bust economic cycle which is directly related to over reliance on its maritime activities and other sectors in its economy.

The tourism sector in Cameroon has in the past years notably in 2014 been said to be unstable most especially with the activities of a rebel group “Boko Haram” (Celia Lebur 2014 reports). Because of the role played by tourism to the development of Cameroon the government is called upon to increase security in her country in order to facilitate steady growth in its tourism activities.

Tourism has been identified as one of the key sectors to achieve economic growth in Cameroon; but does not have the potentials to advice this growth as compared to the level of economic growth it produces in other countries over the years. If the tourism sector is well taken care of, is it going to be able to:

1.3 Research Questions

The following questions will help the researcher to attempt an investigation in this project.

1. What is the contribution of Tourism to the Development of Cameroon and the world at large?
2. What are the problems faced by Tourism in the development of Cameroon in general and Douala in particular?
3. What are the steps taken by the government to address the problems of tourism in Cameroon and Douala in particular?

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