In celebration of the 47th World Tourism Day, Hostellerie La Sanaga in Édéa hosted a pivotal seminar on Thursday, September 24, 2026, aimed at establishing a concerted digital strategy for promoting tourism across the Sanaga-Maritime division.
Organized by the Divisional Delegation of Tourism and Leisure under the leadership of Divisional Delegate Idriss Pascal SALLA, the event operated under the patronage of the Senior Divisional Officer, Cyrille Yvan Abondo, represented by his 4th Deputy.
Centered on the urgent need for local councils and media professionals to structure an attractive digital offering, the gathering convened journalists, communicators, local government representatives, and hotel operators to transform the region’s tourism marketing.
The seminar opened with a comprehensive overview of Sanaga-Maritime’s rich and diverse tourism assets, contrasting sharply with a critical assessment of the current e-reputation of local councils presented by IT engineer Saïd AMANG.
Discussions led by development communication expert Serge Eric ÉPOUNÈ and representatives from the Édéa City Council tackled the role of tourism and communication within Communal Development Plans – PCD.
Speakers emphasized that modern digital communication is not merely a promotional tool, but a fundamental driver for regional planning, economic expansion, and effective territorial marketing.
To bridge the existing digital gap, participants adopted three major strategic resolutions to elevate the division’s profile. First, a draft Digital Charter for Tourism Promotion and Territorial Development will be submitted for municipal approval.
Second, stakeholders committed to launching the dedicated digital platform “Visite Sanaga-Maritime”. Finally, press trips to key tourist sites will be organized to generate compelling digital content, enhancing the region’s visibility among national and international audiences.
A primary focus was placed on better documenting and storytelling around the area’s lesser-known ecological and cultural treasures. Participants highlighted the need to showcase sites such as Balangué Island, stretching across ten villages from Yassoukou to Mouanko, the MAFRIC, MOLI, and Ossa lakes in Dizangué, the Sanaga River, the Édéa falls and gorges, Yoyo beach, and the Douala-Édéa Reserve. Special emphasis was also dedicated to highlighting the heritage of traditional chiefdoms as essential cultural anchors for regional tourism.
Looking to the future, attendees praised the initiative as a decisive milestone in structuring local tourism within Sanaga-Maritime’s municipalities. The division is uniquely positioned to capitalize on major regional infrastructure developments, including the extension of the Kribi Deep Seaport to Dibamba, the planned Édéa-Kribi rail logistics corridor, and an influx of private enterprises in Édéa.
By aligning digital strategy with economic growth, local leaders aim to establish Sanaga-Maritime as an organized, highly visible destination in the modern digital era.
