The travel and tourism sector in Cameroon is poised for significant expansion, moving beyond being a niche player to become a robust component of the national economy. With recent data pointing to sustained growth, the concept of Cameroon’s Tourism Economic Impact is transitioning from a hopeful ambition to a quantifiable reality.
This article leverages recent forecasts and historical trends to project the substantial economic gains the nation stands to achieve by 2028 through targeted development of its travel sector.
International Arrivals Forecast
The most fundamental measure of a tourism sector’s health is the volume of visitors. Cameroon is projected to see a solid, steady increase in the number of international tourists over the next few years.
| Metric | 2023 Estimate | 2028 Forecast | Avg. Annual Growth (Since 2023) |
| International Tourist Arrivals | approx 1.15 Million | approx 1.27 Million | 1.7% |
| Historical Demand Growth | N/A | N/A | 2.8% (Avg. since 2011) |
Data Source: Industry Outlook Reports (2024/2025 Projections)
The forecast of $1.27$ million visitors by 2028 signifies that the foundational demand for travel to Cameroon remains resilient. This projected growth of 1.7% per annum suggests a recovery and stabilization phase, building upon the nation’s long-term average growth rate of 2.8% in tourism demand observed since 2011.
Projected Spending and GDP Contribution
The true benefit of increased arrivals is their corresponding financial contribution. Visitor spending translates directly into revenue for hotels, transport, restaurants, and local businesses, generating a powerful multiplier effect on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Direct Contribution to GDP:
While precise, current figures for the direct contribution of tourism to Cameroon’s GDP for 2028 are proprietary, historical analysis provides a crucial benchmark.
- In a previous forecast (issued in 2018), the direct contribution of tourism to Cameroon’s GDP was projected to reach CFA1,051.9 billion by 2028, representing 3.2% of the country’s GDP at that time.
- This was based on an expected annual growth rate of 4.8% in the direct contribution, reflecting activity generated by hotels, travel agents, and transportation services.
This underscores the significant role tourism plays, even with conservative growth rates, in strengthening the tertiary sector—the largest component of Cameroon’s economy (accounting for over 55% of GDP in 2024). Sustaining this growth is vital for realizing Cameroon’s Tourism Economic Impact.
Foreign Tourist Spending (Visitor Exports):
Expenditure by foreign tourists is a critical source of foreign exchange.
| Metric | 2017 Estimate | 2028 Forecast | Projected Annual Growth (2018-2028) |
| Foreign Tourist Spending (Expenditures) | CFA 337 billion | CFA 581.2 billion | 5.2% |
Data Source: WTTC (2018 Projections for 2028)
The expected annual increase of 5.2% in foreign tourist spending highlights the growing importance of the sector as a “visitor export.” This inflow of foreign currency helps improve Cameroon’s trade balance and supports national liquidity.
Investment and Job Creation
Economic forecasts are not just about revenues; they are about supporting infrastructure and livelihoods.
1. Investment in Infrastructure:
Future growth is underpinned by capital investment. Previous industry projections indicated that investment in the travel and tourism sector was expected to reach CFAF 142 billion by 2028. This investment, though a small percentage of total national investment, is concentrated in high-impact areas like accommodation and transport, which directly improve the traveler experience and capacity.
2. Employment Growth:
The sector is a major employer, especially for young people and women. The total number of jobs supported by the travel and tourism sector was previously projected to reach 875,000 jobs by 2028 (representing 9.5% of national employment) with an annual growth rate of 3.3% over the period.
This capacity for job creation—ranging from hotel management and guiding to local craft production—makes the continuous strengthening of Cameroon’s Tourism Economic Impact an urgent national development priority.
Conclusion: The Path to Realizing Full Potential
The data clearly indicates that Cameroon’s travel sector is on a positive, upward trajectory toward 2028. The projected increase in international arrivals and associated spending will inject hundreds of billions of CFA Francs into the economy, bolstering GDP and creating vital employment opportunities.
However, realizing the full potential of this forecast requires strategic focus. Continued success hinges on:
- Infrastructure development (e.g., road networks, digital connectivity).
- Quality control across the hospitality and guiding sectors.
- Effective branding that leverages the country’s unique cultural and geographical diversity (“Africa in Miniature”).
By proactively addressing these areas, Cameroon can confidently look forward to a period of enhanced prosperity driven by a thriving and economically impactful tourism industry.