BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
The Minister of State, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, H.E. Bello Bouba Maïgari, has called on tourism promoters in South West Region to invest in tourism and emphasised on import substitution as a key strategy in the tourism sector. He made this remark while officially opening the 4th edition of the Cameroon International Tourism Fair on Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Limbe Botanic Garden.
The three-day event which started on Thursday, November 21 to Saturday November 23, 2024 was tagged, “Valorisation of tourism potentials as key for job creation and economic development in Cameroon”.
H.E. Bello Bouba Maigari, presiding at the event said, “I call on all tourism promoters in the South-West Region to emulate this glaring example so that together we will celebrate our destination in no distant future.“
He invited and encouraged Cameroonians to consume Cameroonian products in terms of tourism and leisure. “Our country, Cameroon, offers a diversity of tourist assets that qualify it as “All Africa in one country”, a true Africa in miniature”, the Minister said.
He continued that, “It is therefore easily understandable that it is no longer necessary to take risks and spend a lot of money to discover elsewhere what you can find at your doorsteps or a few steps away from your home, ”H.E. Bello Bouba said about Cameroon.
He called on the vision bearer not to relent her efforts because the organisation of the International Tourism Fair in Limbe is a commendable venture given that it does not only pulls crowd, creates a forum to sell destination world-wide but also contributes towards improving sustainable conservation of the destination to guarantee future development.
“The Ministry of Tourism and Leisure is particularly happy for the marvelous work you have been doing for many years now and sincerely congratulate you for promoting tourism and for making it possible for your actions to attract so many tourists, hence an immense contribution for our sector to attain its objectives,” Bello Bouba said.
other dignitaries at the event
He added that there is need to put in place mechanisms that ease access to tourist sites and other activities that will enable the culture of responsible and sustainable tourism to be established among the Cameroonian population.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to emphasise the importance of import substitution as a key strategy, not just within the border. Import substitution encourages the use of locally produced goods and services over foreign alternatives,” he said.
On her part, the vision bearer and CEO of Flora Travel and Tours, Agatha Iyok said; “It’s interesting to note that some of our unemployment issues can find solutions in the Tourism Industry if we understand the value tourism has to offer and harness the strength of its various sectors.”
She said the event is a platform geared to assist stakeholders, enable them promote and enhance the Cameroonian culture, mind, feeling, aspirations and natural endowment such that Cameroon should be seen from all angles.
Welcoming the Minister of State, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Limbe City Mayor, Paul Efome L.M. Ngale applauded the organisers for the lovable initiative, and the population of Limbe municipality for their friendship nature.
He encouraged the population to support their own, while using the opportunity to call on the tourism sector private actors to emulate the example of Flora Travel and Tours to partner with Limbe City Council to drive the development of the Limbe municipality.
Visit to exhibition stands, excursion, sport walk and various dance groups animated the three-day event.