CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

For age long decades, travelling has always been a part of man. People travel for various reasons ranging from commerce, education, pleasure, relaxation, exploration, events and even for the fun of it. Travelling for various purposes is associated with man (Walker and Walker, 2011:14). Travelling dates back to the existence of man (Ashamu, 2007:19). He added that it was in the course of travelling, tourism was discovered.  Right from the prehistoric period to the Neolithic age precisely between 4000 and 5000 B.C, individuals travelled for the purpose of their safety and to fend for their needs.

One of the factors that contribute to the social and economic development of a nation is having a dependable and efficient transportation system. Storey (1969) and Dawson and Barwell (1993) assert that transportation enhances the regional development of a country, though it has a positive, negative and neutral effect on an economy. In the positive light, it triggers rapid development, in the negative it leads to migration, easy spread of diseases and while in the neutral, are cases where transport facilities do not contribute to productivity at all. Transportation helps in the wealth creation of an economy, even as it helps bring investors who will utilize the available resources of the nation; it equally helps in the exportation of goods and services. Transportation contributes in improving the standard of living of people because it helps to generate income for those who are into it and the residents of areas where this transport companies are situated (Lucas,1998).

Tourism cannot be fully achieved without transportation, as it is what drives tourism. Tourism and transportation are used interchangeably by people, but it is pertinent to know that there are two different things; as all tourists are travelers but not all travelers are tourists (Chadwick, 1994:65). Road transportation is a very common means of transportation among Cameroons. Most Cameroons prefer traveling by road not because it is the safest, but tends to be the cheapest after water transportation. Bearing in mind that transportation and tourism are both linked together, road transport seems to be the best as it has support services that promote tourism like fuel stations, auto mechanics and even rest facilities (Culpan 1987, 547). Currently in Cameroon, there are many road transport companies competing for travelers; the competition is really much as we now have road transport companies going the extra mile to offer great services to their passengers in other to stay on top of the competition. These days we have cars with car conditioners, price reduction for families travelling with infants.

However, the travel and tourism sector of Cameroon have been growing in limbs and bounds recently. Based on a report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), this sector has greatly increased the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Cameroon in the past few years. Furthermore, not minding the current recession, the travel and tourism industry is contributing to help revive the economy. Due to this, the government has embarked on measures to help sustain this industry and use it as a tool to achieve its 2020 vision (Jetlife 2012:7). Though the major challenge of Cameroon roads being in deplorable state still poses a challenge, and that is why this study aims at examining the impact of transportation in the tourism industry.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The deplorable state of Cameroon roads keep posing a challenge on the success of tourism in Cameroon. Many tourists are discouraged due to the bad states of our roads. The risks of traveling on bad roads coupled with the after reaching effect of it on health of road users after such trips discourage them from embarking on the journey. Due to this, investors are discouraged from visiting tourist sites in Cameroon. In addition, poor management of our transport system contributes to the problem of transportation in the tourism industry. The road transport companies of Cameroon have limitations ranging from employment of incompetent drivers, continued usage of worn out vehicles with worn out parts and poor services when it comes to the treatment of passengers. Also, problem of inconsistent transport fares creates a lot of uncertainty and negative impact on the transport system. As a result of this, transport companies fix fares indiscriminately, whether in the face of fuel scarcity or not. All these culminate to negatively affect the tourism industry of Cameroon and this study aims at examining the impact of transportation in the tourism industry.

1.3 Research Questions

The study came up with the following research question in order to ascertain the above stated objectives; the research questions are stated below as follows:

1. Is there any relationship between transportation and tourism development in Cameroon?
2. What is the effect of transportation on the rate of patronage in most tourist centers in Cameroon?
3. What are the factors affecting the ease of transportation and the growth of tourism in Cameroon?
4. What are the roles of management in transportation efficiency in Limbe?
5. What is the effect bad road on transportation in Limbe?

1.4 Aims and Objectives of Study

The main aim of the research work is to examine the role of transportation on tourism in Cameroon; other specific objectives of the study are stated below as follows:

1. To examine the relationship between transportation and tourism development in Cameroon
2. To determine the effect of transportation on the rate of patronage in most tourist centers in Limbe
3. To investigate the factors affecting the ease of transportation and the growth of tourism in Cameroon
4. To examine the roles of management in transportation efficiency in Cameroon
5. To examine the effect bad road on transportation in Limbe
6. To proffer solution to the above problem