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Tourism in Cameroon is a growing but relatively minor industry. Since the 1970s, the government of Cameroon has cultivated the industry by creating a ministry of tourism and by encouraging investment by airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. The government describes the country as "Africa in miniature", promoting its diversity of climate, culture, and geography. Cameroon's wildlife draws both safari-goers and big-game hunters, as Cameroon is home to many of Africa's iconic animals: cheetahs, chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, hippopotami, and rhinoceroses. Impediments to further growth of the tourism sector include poor transport infrastructure and corrupt officials who may harass visitors for bribes.
Government programmes to increase tourism in Cameroon began on 3 December 1974 when President Ahmadou Ahidjo issued an order that set the tourism industry aside as having special status[1] and established the General Commissariat of Tourism.[2] On 28 June 1975, Ahidjo reconstituted the body as the General Delegation for Tourism, whose purpose was to encourage private investment by airlines, hotels, and travel agencies.[1] The delegation publishes tourist literature and publicises Cameroon through advertising.[2] Ahidjo and his successor, Paul Biya, have set aside several game and forest reserves as further touristic draws. Improving air, rail, and road transportation to popular tourist sites has been another priority.[1]
カメルーンの観光インフラは着実に改善してきた。1960年には37軒のホテルに599室あったが、1976年には203軒のホテルに3,229室に増加した。1980年には7,500室のホテルが提供された。しかし、これらの客室の大部分はドゥアラとヤウンデという2つの主要都市に集中している。[ 2 ] 1971年には29,500人の観光客がカメルーンを訪れた。この数は1975年には10万人、1980年には13万人に増加した。カメルーンへの訪問者のほとんどはフランス、イギリス、カナダから来ている。ビジネス旅行者はカメルーンの観光客の中で最大の割合を占めている。[ 3 ]観光産業は1990年代以降、著しい進歩を遂げている。[ 1 ]カメルーンは主にフランス語圏だが、北西州と南西州の2州は英語圏である。
カメルーンでは観光客はいくつかの障害に直面する。カメルーン人は外国人が、部外者にとって奇妙に思えるものやカメルーンを否定的に捉える可能性のあるものを撮影することにしばしば反感を抱くため、写真撮影は難しい。政府は政府庁舎や職員、空港、橋、市場の写真撮影をすべて禁止している。[ 4 ]
カメルーン当局による観光客への対応は、政府が観光を収入源として重視するようになったことで改善された。かつては、観光客は入国時に長時間にわたる徹底的な検査を受けていたが、現在ではそのようなケースは稀になっている。[ 5 ]それでも、警察や憲兵が外国人観光客をスパイ行為や傭兵活動の疑いで告発することがある。[ 4 ]これは特に、主要な観光ルートから外れた場所を訪れる観光客や、高級ホテルやレンタカーではなく、安価な宿泊施設や公共交通機関（ミニバスなど）を利用する観光客に当てはまる。検問所の警察や憲兵が外国人観光客に賄賂を要求することもある。[ 5 ]
The Cameroonian government promotes the country as "Africa in miniature", asserting that the country offers all the diversity of Africa—in climate, culture, and geography—within its borders.[6] Other touristic phrases sometimes used include "the melting pot of Africa" and "Africa in microcosm".[7] Cameroon's tourist destinations are in four general areas: the coast, the major cities, the Western highlands, and the north.[8] The coast offers two major beach resort towns: Limbe is English-speaking with black, volcanic sand; and Kribi is a French-speaking city with white-sand beaches.[4]Mount Cameroon on the coast is the highest mountain in Central and West Africa and draws hikers and climbers. The stepping-off point for climbing Mt. Cameroon is the city of Buea, where guides can be hired and equipment can be rented. There are several tin-roofed huts for hikers to sleep in during their trek up the mountain.[9]
Yaoundé is home to most of Cameroon's national monuments. It also has several museums. The Western highlands offer picturesque mountain scenery, waterfalls and lakes, and the altitude provides a cooler climate. Bamenda is the main city in the western highlands, and is the capital of the Northwest province. This area is known for its traditional culture and crafts. The city of Bafoussam is especially famous for its wood-carving culture and artifacts. In fact, the area produces more crafts than any other in Cameroon. The West is also home to traditional chiefdoms and fondoms, such as the sultanate of Foumban. Each chief typically has his own palace or compound which visitors may visit for a fee.[9]
Cameroon's north is the nation's primary tourist draw.[9] The area has several wildlife reserves, including the largest and best-run in West Africa, Waza National Park.[10] These parks offer both animal viewing and big-game hunting.[11] Animals in this region include cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippopotami, and rhinoceroses.[1]Maroua offers a large crafts market and museums.[9]
アダマワ州、東部州、南部州は観光産業拡大の新たな可能性を秘めているが、交通事情が悪いため、これらの地域では観光産業は小規模にとどまっている。[ 2 ]南部の森林保護区には観光客向けのインフラはほとんど整備されていないが、チンパンジー、ゾウ、ゴリラ、その他の熱帯雨林の動物を見ることができる。[ 1 ]