With decentralization gradually taking hold in Cameroon, the West Region is reflecting on its future in the coming decades. From December 11 to 17, the Western Regional Council is organizing the REDEO (Rencontre d’Échanges, de Découvertes et d’Exhibition de l’Ouest). All areas of political, economic, social and environmental governance will be examined, and all the sons and daughters of the region will be mobilized for this purpose.

The CED Director for Central Africa (CEEAC), Dr. DONGMO TEMGOUA Bertrand, had the honor of proposing the outline of a marketing strategy for the Western destination during Round Table 4 on December 13. The round table was hosted by the Office Régional du Tourisme de l’Ouest.

Here are some key elements of the proposal made by CED’s Central Africa Director:

– As a long-term vision: Make West Cameroon an Excellent destination by 2035-40.

– Positioning: Focus on nature tourism and cultural tourism (based on the region’s unique values).

– Market segmentation (4 main criteria, including the psychographic criterion targeting international tourists, with an emphasis on the diaspora in search of a sense of identity).

– An action plan and branding involving all stakeholders, including local populations, along the lines of the Cameroon cultural season in Paris (April to July 2022) organized by the Route des Chefferies.

– Monitoring and measuring success using the System of Measures for Destinations Excellence (SMED) developed by the World Centre of Destinations Excellence (CED).

Through these REDEO events, which continue on the Town Hall site until December 17, the West region is laying the foundations for its economic and social development under this new era of territorial governance in Cameroon. Tourism features prominently, and CED will not hesitate to support the region’s localities in their quest for excellence.