Cameroon Strategizes to Ease Visa Issuance for Tourists

The Cameroon Government is laying a strategy to boost tourism in the country by fast-tracking the treatment of online visas, MMI has learnt.

In a meeting held on Wednesday, October 16, at the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, officials come up with certain measures.

The measures will be presented to the Prime Minister and Head of Government in the days ahead.

“The ad hoc committee meets to deliberate on issues to be tabled to the council that is presided over by the Prime Minister, Head of Government,” the Ministry of Tourism said.

It added that “deliberations focused on online visas into Cameroon, security of tourists, time-lapse for the treatment of files, receptive measures at our airports, mixed control of all our frontiers, and a point on funds to facilitate treatment of files in our embassies and consulates abroad.”

The meeting was chaired by the Inspector General, Mr. Zomekou Ateba, in behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Bello Bouba Maigari.

They developed measures that will ease entry into Cameroon for for tourists.

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country. According to Statista, an online data site, Cameroon’s tourism has the potential to generate over FCFA 146 billion in revenue before the end of 2024 and close to FCFA 200 billion before 2029.

It is estimated that over one million tourists visit the country yearly, but if the challenges are effectively handled, that number could double.

Some of the challenges include insecurity, owing to instability in the Western and Far North regions; lack of infrastructure, and also delays in visa issuance.

That is why the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure is seeking to improve on the visa sector.