Global Journal of Management and Business Research, F: Real Estate, Event and Tourism Management, Volume 23 Issue 3

Tourism Governance in Cameroon and the Challenges of Modernity: An Overview Dorothée Tsogo Akoa α & Marie Pierrette Nnomo σ Author α σ : Ph.D student, ICT University. e-mails: Dorothee.tsogoakoa@yahoo.fr , nnompierre@yahoo.fr Abstract- This article looks at tourism governance in the light of the challenges of modernity. It is set against a rapidly changing global backdrop. In a world where today's realities are rapidly being overtaken by tomorrow's hazards, where modernity is replacing the classical. As tourism is part and parcel of this world of multiple uncertainties, the problem arises of how to adapt. So, looking at the case of Cameroon, we asked ourselves what kind of tourism governance is needed to meet the new challenges of modernity? The method we chose to answer this question was a documentary analysis, based on a review of the literature on the subject. The synthesis of the contributions consulted leads us to believe that a multi-stakeholder approach to tourism governance (public and private, central and local) would be better suited to meeting the challenges of modernity. Keywords: tourism, governance, modernity, heritage. I. I ntroduction overnance contributes to the development of the tourism sector. With this in mind, a number of countries, like Cameroon, have made governance one of the priority levers in their tourism development strategy, by implementing mechanisms that help to create synergies between stakeholders and contribute to their effectiveness. However, the tourism sector is in rapidly evolving, to the point where it is sometimes referred to as ‘post-tourism’ (François- Lecompte & Prim-Allaz 1, 2009), or‘tourism transition’ (Duhamel, 2018). This debate is taking place in a context where tourism has become an integral part of a rapidly changing society. The rise of uncertainty (Latour, 2017), climate change and its socio-economic and political consequences (Latour, 2017), the scale of the phenomenon itself and the prospects for the future mean that the question of adapting tourism and adapting to tourism has to be considered in the context of the ‘anthropocene’ (Hollenhorst et al., 2014) imposed by the challenges of modernity. Tourism governance is therefore called upon to try and deal with this state of affairs. With this in mind, this article sets out to address this issue by attempting to take stock of the situation in the context of Cameroon in particular. The first part of our argument presents the main concepts of the subject. In the second, we examine the issue of tourism governance at both international and national levels. The third section attempts to establish the link between tourism and modernity in Cameroon. The fourth and final section looks at the type of governance required to meet the challenges of modernity. II. C onceptual I ssues In order to carry out this reflection, it is first necessary to clarify a number of major concepts relating to the issue in question: governance, tourism and modernity. a) What does Governance Mean ? Governance refers to the diversity of players involved in defining public action (Hounmenou, 2003). It is "a process of coordinating actors, social groups and institutions to achieve collectively discussed and defined goals in fragmented and uncertain environments" (Bagnasco & Le Galès, 1997). The notion of governance requires us to take an interest in the plurality of players. Indeed, the complexity of tourism governance is inherent in the involvement of a multiplicity of players with no leader, and in the cross-cutting nature of this activity. The governance approach to tourism highlights the link between economic opportunities, political issues and social practices. In this study, governance refers to all the rules and decision-making, information and monitoring bodies that ensure the smooth running and management of a site or area. Its aim is to provide strategic direction, ensure that objectives are achieved, that risks are anticipated and managed, and that resources are used responsibly. It integrates and includes all stakeholders (public authorities, citizens, private partners, etc.), ensuring that their points of view, approaches and needs are taken into account. b) The Concept of Tourism The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) defines tourism as all the activities carried out by people during their travels and stays in places outside their usual environment for a period not exceeding one year, for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of a remunerated activity in the places visited. This definition is the most commonly used. It is an operational definition which enables tourism statistics to be produced and is used for these purposes. In fact, the tourism industry brings together all the structures whose main activity relates to the G Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( F ) XXIII Issue III Version I Year 2023 15 © 2023 Global Journals