Ghana's Tour Operators Forge Strategic Alliances at Cameroon Tourism Fair
A delegation from Ghana has returned home with fresh business connections and a strengthened resolve to promote intra-African tourism after taking part in a major regional trade event held recently in Cameroon. The Tour Operators Union of Ghana, commonly known as TOUGHA, used the occasion to engage with industry professionals from across the continent and position the West African nation as a leading destination for travellers.
The fifth edition of the Cameroon International Tourism Fair took place over three days in the coastal city of Limbe. The gathering attracted more than forty international delegates alongside numerous local exhibitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere for business exchange and cultural celebration. Attendees participated in exhibitions, expert-led seminars, traditional performances, and structured networking sessions designed to foster collaboration among African tourism stakeholders.
Leading the Ghanaian contingent was TOUGHA President Yvonne Donkor, who described the experience as highly productive. She noted that one of the primary goals was to establish relationships with operators from Central Africa, a region that has historically had limited travel connections with West Africa. By building these bridges, the union aims to encourage more travellers from that part of the continent to explore what Ghana has to offer.
Donkor explained that the fair provided an ideal setting for meeting destination management companies and other key players in the tourism value chain. These interactions, she said, have already begun yielding promising leads that could translate into increased visitor numbers for Ghana in the coming months and years. The networking opportunities were described as particularly valuable, allowing participants to form partnerships that extend well beyond national borders.
Beyond the formal exhibition halls, the Ghanaian delegation took part in organised excursions that showcased some of Cameroon's most compelling attractions. The group visited Buea, a town nestled at the foot of Mount Cameroon, and explored the historic Bimbia Slave Village, a site of deep significance in the transatlantic slave trade narrative. They also experienced the natural beauty of the Ekom-Nkam Waterfall and the picturesque Lobe Waterfall, where water cascades directly onto a sandy beach. The tour concluded in Douala, Cameroon's largest city and economic centre.
These site visits were not merely recreational but served a strategic purpose. Donkor indicated that the union plans to package these experiences and promote them to diaspora travellers who are already clients of Ghanaian tour operators. By curating multi-country itineraries that combine destinations across Africa, TOUGHA hopes to offer richer travel experiences while supporting the broader goal of boosting tourism flows within the continent.
The union's participation in the fair reflects a deliberate effort to expand its international footprint and build lasting relationships with counterparts across Africa. Donkor emphasised that the trip was approached with clear intentions and that the outcomes have exceeded expectations. The connections made with destination management companies from various countries are expected to open doors not only to Ghana but also to global markets.
For professionals in Africa's travel industry, the outcomes of this engagement highlight the growing importance of regional cooperation. As more operators seek to diversify their offerings and tap into emerging source markets, events like the Cameroon International Tourism Fair provide essential platforms for building the networks that underpin successful partnerships.
TOUGHA's efforts also align with wider continental trends aimed at reducing barriers to travel and encouraging Africans to explore their own continent. With new alliances in place and firsthand knowledge of Cameroon's tourism assets, the union is well positioned to play a central role in shaping how Ghana is perceived and promoted across Africa and among diaspora communities worldwide.
The message from Limbe is clear. Collaboration, intentionality, and a willingness to explore new markets are key ingredients for growth in Africa's evolving tourism sector.
