CONTEXTUALISING SPORT AND TOURISM IN CENTRAL AFRICA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Sport has been an integral part of the African lifestyle, and as such, in transitioning economies like those in the Central African subregion, where many people are not part of the mainstream economic activity, sport serves as a useful socio-economic getaway. In fact, the concept of sport-related tourism has grown significantly in prominence in the African context, especially in recent times. This is because, despite the existing issues linked to economic hardships, sport events are well-attended, providing a useful platform to kick-start certain socio-economic activities that are linked to local and regional tourism development. This article explores the stakeholder views on promoting tourism through sport, using Cameroon as a case study. Documentary reviews, incorporating semi-structured in-depth interviews with stakeholders involved in sport and tourism domains, reveal a set of structural challenges, as well as illuminating opportunities for development. The study has implications for policy and planning linked to sport tourism development in the Central African subregion.

Keywords

• Sport
• tourism
• challenges and prospects
• tourism development stakeholders
• Cameroon