Tourism stakeholders in the Limbe sub division have begun activities to celebrate the 35th edition of World Tourism Day, under the theme Tourism and Community Development.

The activities chaired by Fako divisional delegate for Tourism, Mrs Delila Efeti Quan, began on Tuesday, September 23, with a sport walk around the city of Limbe, with various hotels marching around and sensitising the public about their various services, under the banner of HORAS (Hotel and Restaurant Associations).

On the theme of the celebration, the divisional delegate explained that it ties squarely with the activities that take place in the Tourism industry, since no tourism related activity can take place without involving the community because the community deserves to benefit from all activities which are generated by tourism.

“We can say that the theme is a good one and it just goes to show how the community has to reap from all the activities that are generated from this industry”.

Talking on some of the difficulties still being faced by the Tourism industry in the division, Mrs Delila said it is difficult to engage all stakeholders to be involved in Tourism activities, as some of them usually complain of slow business, exorbitant taxes “But when they join and work as a team, they will tackle these problems”, she said.

According to the delegate, hotels in Limbe are up to standard, though a lot still has to be done to ensure that the structures are up to international standards “They have to revise receptive techniques, meet up with service quality etc”.

“In Limbe, we are sure of the kind of hotels that exists, it’s a town that so many visitors visit and whenever someone wants to engage in this business, the person knows how to go about it, so, concerning standards, we don’t have any fear”, the delegate said.

According to Mbeu Alphonse, president of HORAS, World Tourism Day is worth celebrating from, as there are a lot of benefits from tourism.

The tourism day which will be celebrated proper on Saturday in Buea, will continue in Limbe with a talk show over the radio on the theme, orientation with schools, visit to the slave trade village etc.