The
coastal city of Limbe has welcomed hundreds of tourism
professionals and delegates for the opening of a major
industry gathering that seeks to position Cameroon as a leading
destination on the international stage. The fifth edition of the
Cameroon International Tourism Fair
commenced at the renowned Limbe Botanic Garden, bringing together
government representatives, private sector participants, and visiting
delegations under the banner of uniting tourism, culture, and
commerce.
Organised through a partnership between
Flora Travel and Tour Company Limited and the Limbe City Council, the
event marks an important moment for Central African tourism.
Agatha Iyok, the founding visionary behind the
fair, addressed attendees by reflecting on five years of
progress since the initiative began. She described the gathering as a
deliberate effort to bring together communities and industry players
around a common purpose, using Cameroon’s remarkable diversity as a
foundation for economic advancement.
Often referred to
as Africa in miniature due to its
extraordinary range of landscapes, peoples, and traditions, Cameroon
presents unique opportunities for tourism development. Iyok drew
attention to Limbe’s distinctive offerings, including its striking black
sand beaches, the imposing presence of Mount Cameroon, and historically
significant locations such as the Bimbia Slave Route. Visitors to the
fair are being treated to cultural performances, traditional crafts, and
culinary experiences representing the nation’s four principal cultural
regions.
The ceremony featured vibrant
traditional dance performances from multiple cultural
groups. Elaborate costumes, powerful drumming, and expressive
choreography offered attendees an immersive introduction to the
country’s heritage. These displays set an energetic tone for the
three-day programme of activities ahead.
International
participation has grown notably, with delegations
arriving from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Brazil.
This expanding geographic reach demonstrates increasing global interest
in both the fair itself and Cameroon’s tourism potential. For African
travel professionals, such cross-border engagement creates valuable
networking opportunities and opens doors to collaborative
ventures.
Speaking at the official opening,
Minister of Tourism and Leisure Gabriel
Mbaïrobe described the fair as central to national
efforts aimed at establishing Cameroon among the world’s premier
destinations. He emphasised that connecting tourism with cultural
expression and commercial activity represents a powerful formula for
generating economic opportunities.
Two priority areas
received particular attention during the ministerial address.
The blue economy, which encompasses
sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, was highlighted
as especially relevant given Limbe’s seaside location. The Minister
explained that this sector extends far beyond traditional maritime
industries, offering pathways to employment creation and poverty
reduction through responsible resource stewardship.
Gastronomy
emerged as another focal point, with significant
developments announced regarding the protection of Cameroonian culinary
traditions. Fourteen traditional dishes have been identified for
safeguarding through the World Intellectual Property Organization. Most
notably, Ndole, the beloved national dish,
has achieved a historic distinction by becoming the first Cameroonian
recipe to receive intellectual property protection this year.
Additionally, efforts are underway to ensure local cuisine meets
international dietary requirements, including halal and vegan
certifications, enabling Cameroonian food to reach broader global
audiences.
The Minister also encouraged stakeholders
to embrace digital tools for tourism
promotion, pointing to new platforms designed to simplify
accommodation bookings and showcase lesser-known attractions to
international audiences.
Throughout the remaining
days, participants will engage in panel discussions, exhibitions, and
networking sessions addressing sustainable tourism challenges and
opportunities. With its emphasis on partnership, innovation, and
cultural celebration, this gathering reinforces Central
Africa’s growing significance as a destination for
tourism, trade, and investment. For travel professionals across the
continent, developments in Cameroon offer inspiration and potential
collaboration as African tourism continues its upward
trajectory.
