A
delegation from Ghana has returned home with fresh business connections
and a strengthened resolve to promote intra-African
tourism after taking part in a major regional trade event
held recently in Cameroon. The Tour Operators Union of
Ghana, commonly known as TOUGHA, used the occasion to
engage with industry professionals from across the continent and
position the West African nation as a leading destination for
travellers.
The fifth edition of the
Cameroon International Tourism Fair took place over three
days in the coastal city of Limbe. The gathering attracted more than
forty international delegates alongside numerous local exhibitors,
creating a vibrant atmosphere for business exchange and cultural
celebration. Attendees participated in exhibitions, expert-led seminars,
traditional performances, and structured networking sessions designed
to foster collaboration among African tourism stakeholders.
Leading
the Ghanaian contingent was TOUGHA President Yvonne
Donkor, who described the experience as highly
productive. She noted that one of the primary goals was to establish
relationships with operators from Central Africa, a region that has
historically had limited travel connections with West Africa. By
building these bridges, the union aims to encourage more travellers from
that part of the continent to explore what Ghana has to
offer.
Donkor explained that the fair provided an
ideal setting for meeting destination management
companies and other key players in the tourism value
chain. These interactions, she said, have already begun yielding
promising leads that could translate into increased visitor numbers for
Ghana in the coming months and years. The networking opportunities were
described as particularly valuable, allowing participants to form
partnerships that extend well beyond national borders.
Beyond
the formal exhibition halls, the Ghanaian delegation took part in
organised excursions that showcased some of Cameroon’s
most compelling attractions. The group visited Buea, a
town nestled at the foot of Mount Cameroon, and explored the historic
Bimbia Slave Village, a site of deep significance in the transatlantic
slave trade narrative. They also experienced the natural beauty of the
Ekom-Nkam Waterfall and the picturesque Lobe Waterfall, where water
cascades directly onto a sandy beach. The tour concluded in Douala,
Cameroon’s largest city and economic centre.
These
site visits were not merely recreational but served a strategic purpose.
Donkor indicated that the union plans to package these experiences and
promote them to diaspora travellers who are
already clients of Ghanaian tour operators. By curating multi-country
itineraries that combine destinations across Africa, TOUGHA hopes to
offer richer travel experiences while supporting the broader goal of
boosting tourism flows within the continent.
The
union’s participation in the fair reflects a deliberate effort to expand
its international footprint and build lasting relationships with
counterparts across Africa. Donkor emphasised that the trip was
approached with clear intentions and that the outcomes have exceeded
expectations. The connections made with destination management companies
from various countries are expected to open doors not only to Ghana but
also to global markets.
For professionals in Africa’s
travel industry, the outcomes of this engagement highlight the growing
importance of regional cooperation. As more
operators seek to diversify their offerings and tap into emerging
source markets, events like the Cameroon International Tourism Fair
provide essential platforms for building the networks that underpin
successful partnerships.
TOUGHA’s efforts also align
with wider continental trends aimed at reducing barriers to travel and
encouraging Africans to explore their own continent. With new alliances
in place and firsthand knowledge of Cameroon’s tourism assets, the union
is well positioned to play a central role in shaping how Ghana is
perceived and promoted across Africa and among diaspora communities
worldwide.
The message from Limbe is clear.
Collaboration, intentionality, and a willingness to explore new markets
are key ingredients for growth in Africa’s evolving tourism
sector.
