The 10th edition of the Rendez-vous Champlain in Montreal was a major milestone for the World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED). True to its mission of innovation and strategic support for territories, the CED was represented by three of its experts: Professor François Bédard, its Director; Professor Benoît Duguay; and Dr. Bertrand Dongmo Temgoua, Director of CED–Central Africa

Three Contributions to Destination Excellence

The scientific presentations demonstrated the CED’s ability to connect evaluation models, field experiments, and innovations in tourism governance:

Professor François Bédard, in addition to participating in the opening panel on resistance to change, presented a study conducted in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, where the SMED method (System of Measures for Excellence in Destinations) was used to rethink regional governance—most notably through the inclusion of a resident happiness survey to assess tourism’s actual impact on quality of life.

Dr. Bertrand Dongmo Temgoua gave a detailed analysis of the adaptability of SMED in Cameroonian municipalities in a context of decentralization. His presentation highlighted the concrete outcomes of the 2024 MATDEL mission, including the signing of seven framework agreements between the CED and various municipalities in Cameroon, as well as the momentum created in pilot communities such as Ambam and Garoua-Boulaï.

Growing Recognition of the SMED Model

The SMED is recognized as a structuring tool, both in the Global North and South, for supporting local tourism development dynamics. It stands out for its ability to combine participatory diagnostics, strategic positioning, and the networking of local stakeholders, all within a framework of shared governance and sustainability.

Lasting Impact and Promising Prospects

Beyond the visibility gained through this international event, the CED’s participation in the Rendez-vous Champlain strengthened North-South cooperation, nurtured prospects for action-research, and reinforced the Centre’s position as a global reference in destination quality.

The follow-up mission in Ambam, held in November 2024, along with the upcoming step in Garoua-Boulaï in 2025, illustrate the continuity of the commitments made and the catalytic role played by the CED in local transformation trajectories.

Dr. Bertrand Dongmo Temgoua