Diaspora Tourism: Perspective of Cameroonians living in Famagusta

This research investigated the reasons why Famagusta based Cameroonians visit their country of origin, dwelling on their motives for traveling, how it feels in their homeland relative to their residing country. This research employed a qualitative technique to analyze its data via an interview guide of open-ended questions with 15 interviewees. Interpretation of data from the interviews showed that the key reasons for diaspora tourists to travel home were mainly visiting friends and family, spending time with loved ones, at festivals or on vacations. There were different reasons for respondents to immigrate to the TRNC, ranging from educational, economic, greener pastures, transit and marriage. The Cameroonian diaspora also bring goods and presents from abroad to deliver in Cameroon to loved ones, carry stuff from Cameroon to bring to the TRNC. The results of the study showed that diasporic tourism is indeed a process by which people should be able to better their lives in their residing country with the lives of their relatives home, notably by sending remittances. Keywords: Diaspora tourism, Diaspora, Tourism.