Interview: H.E. Baba Hamadou, Minister of Tourism, Cameroon   Mister Minister, what are your immediate and long range goals for tourism in Cameroon? In the area of tourism Cameroon is currently pursuing a double objective: seeing to it that this sector participates concretely and immediately in the implementation of the Head of State's policy programme for his current seven &endash; year term of office, so as to meet the common goal of social well being. This is why my Ministry is working to increase significantly the number of international tourists visiting Cameroon. The figure is today estimated at about half a million. The immediate objective which agrees with the medium- range target of endowing the sector with a sound tourism policy that will be made possible in the coming months through a Tourism Development Master Plan, will lead to a more rational and optimal development and exploitation of our potentials. The upcoming creation of a National Tourism Board, the developments now taking place in some tourist sites, notably within the framework of the STEP (Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty) Programme, the imminent launching of major construction works for the iinvestment of giant tourist complexes in Malimba-Yoyo in the Littoral Region and in Lobé near Kribi in the South Region are ample proof of a brighter future for Cameroon's tourism industry. As far as cooperation is concerned, we are going to continue with the signing of cooperation agreements in the area of tourism, notably with China. . What sets Cameroon apart from other destinations in Western and Central Africa? What is your competitive edge? The main characteristic of Cameroon's tourist products is their diversity. In fact, thanks to its central position on the African continent, Cameroon's tourism is characterized by a large variety of products. Cameroon's tourism potential is endowed with a large range of resources stemming from its landscape, and climate which give rise to flora and fauna resources that feature among the richest in Africa. Moreover, this country harbours almost the totality of what nature has unevenly given to other African countries. Here live more than 250 ethnic groups with exceptionally rich and varied cultures and folklores. It is worth noting here that in a region like ours which is plagued with all sorts of crises - social peace that reigns in our country is very conducive for profitable tourist investments. How highly do you rate your membership in the Africa Travel Association and its events in Africa and the USA? There exist potential market segments in the USA for the development of our tourism. There are for example, lovers of nature, of less &endash; disturbed environment, and of genuine cultures and traditions. But, the most visible segment is of human and historic interest. It is worth recalling that according to historians, about 30% of black slave population that was taken from the West Coast of Africa originated from the region that stretches from Cameroon to the Niger Delta. Probability is therefore high that an important part of African Americans hailed from Cameroonian families, as it is the case with Nate Parker, who, according to recent information, will visit Cameroon where his roots are said to be found in the Tikar region. This accounts for: Cameroon's adhesion to ATA in 1986; the organization of two annual congresses (1987 and 2004) and of one symposium on ecotourism in 2001 in Cameroon; the creation of an ATA Chapter; the creation of a National Scientific Committee on Cultural Tourism Project "The Slave Route" and more recently the representation of Cameroon Head of State H.E. Paul BIYA at the 4 th Forum of African Heads of State on Tourism organized By ATA last September in New York alongside the General assembly meeting of the United Nations. As far as ATA events in Africa and the USA are concerned, they have been witnessing for the past years both a quantitative and qualitative evolution. The project for the elaboration of a five-year plan of ATA's activities could be a good thing likely to help this organization be more at the service of its members and of the development of tourism in Africa. What are your priorities for the improvement to the tourism infrastructures? To improve tourism infrastructures in Cameroon, a number of activities have been undertaken, notably: 1- On going leasing procedure of State- owned hotels. To that effect, a public international call for the manifestation of interest was launched and the deadline for submission of tender files is 24 May 2010; 2- Many tourist sites have been studied and are soon going to be developed within the framework of ecotourism development in Cameroon. It is the case with the EBOGO tourist site in the Centre Region and Lake AWING in the North- West Region which are STEP projects (Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty) 3- Improving upon the quality of service in lodging establishments through the on going campaigns on classification and re-classification. 4- Training and sensitization campaigns geared towards private operators through the organization of seminars on quality. What results do you expect from the Africa Tourism Commission meeting this May? The UNWTO Africa Commission is holding its 50th meeting from 17 to 19 May 2010 in Algiers in Algeria. This meeting is coming after the 18th session of the General assembly meeting of the World Tourism Organization held last October in Astana in Kazakhstan and whose resolutions marked more than ever before, the determination and the capacity of its members to make tourism an essential tool for job creation and economic recovery. In my capacity as Chairman of the UNWTO Commission for Africa, and considering the positive results achieved by this region as far as international tourist arrivals since the beginning of the economic and financial crisis of 2008 are concerned, our wish is to see our countries implement the resolutions mentioned above, namely the ones relating to "the road map for recovery "and the Declaration of tourist movements". This will help to maximize the fallouts of tourist activities in our countries. The World Football Cup to be organized in South Africa and the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of most African countries will obviously contribute to it.   Cameroon Ministry of Tourism Tel:, +237 222-4411 Fax:, +237 222-1295. B.P. 266 Yaoundé 237 Cameroon Website: www.mintour.gov.cm E-mail: ctourisme@yahoo.fr