An examination of policy and planning processes towards developing a comprehensive plan applying rational tourism models: The case of Cameroon

ABSTRACT: It has been noticed that tourism can act as an effective tool to enhance development especially in developing countries as in the case of Cameroon. Tourism can be beneficiary when stakeholders and communities are involved in the decision making process, but this is not the case in Cameroon. This paper will examined how tourism has been view in Cameroon, the resources of tourism and the drawbacks faced in this industry. Cameroon is a country that is rich in tourism potentials but has been greatly abandoned by the government of this country because more attention has been paid to political and economic development. Another objective of this study will also be to answers questions about tourism planning, how tourism has contributed towards sustaining the communities. The participation of tourism planning approaches by communities has not been fully absorbed in the context of developing countries such as Cameroon. Research questions such as who can help in the process and in what stage will it become a reality. Cameroon is also one of those countries in West African that is rich in natural resources such as timber but has been greatly abandoned by the government. These resources should be exploited and maximized to the fullness in other to increased tourism potentials in the country. There are different types of tourism that the government of Cameroon can take advantage of; such as alternative tourism, cultural and participative tourism. The research has reveal that there is a little or low commitment when it comes to policies and the implementation of plans in this sector. There is no collaboration between the public and the private sectors as well as the stakeholders and the ministry of tourism (MINTOUR) which is the center and the pillar when it comes to decision making process. The research was carried out based on a qualitative study. Thirty-two questions were designed to be answered by the top officials of tourism such as the minister, provincial and regional delegates of tourism, tour operators and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) both from the public and private sectors. Therefor this study is one of a kind that will furnish a clear picture of problems and pitfalls that are associated with tourism development in Cameroon. Keywords: Tourism; Planning; Development; Policy; Implementation Cameroon. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………