“Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”
YAOUNDÉ-
Cameroon is set to join the international community in commemorating World Tourism Day 2026, alongside the country’s National Tourism and Leisure Week, from 23 to 28 September 2026 in Yaoundé.
The 2026 celebrations will be held under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” highlighting the growing role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in transforming tourism, enhancing visitor experiences and creating new opportunities across the tourism value chain.
According to a press release issued by the Cameroon Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, the combined celebration provides an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich tourism assets—including its attractions, landscapes, cultures and traditions that have earned Cameroon the description “Africa in miniature.”
The celebration will also recognise the contributions of stakeholders across Cameroon’s tourism and leisure ecosystem, including public institutions, the private sector, diplomatic missions, civil society, development partners, tourism professionals, promoters and other industry actors.
Six Days of Tourism, Culture and Innovation
The official programme in Yaoundé features a range of activities designed to promote Cameroon as a tourism destination:
Wednesday, 23 September: Opening March.
Thursday, 24 September: Ecotourism excursion to Parc de la Méfou.
Friday, 25 September: Official opening of the Trade Fair at the National Museum, followed by a Gastronomic Evening at the Lagoon Club & Affaires Hotel.
Saturday, 26 September: Continuation of the Trade Fair and presentation of Artificial Intelligence tourism solutions developed by Cameroonians.
Sunday, 27 September: Continuation of the Trade Fair and a musical concert at the National Museum.
Monday, 28 September: Official ceremony commemorating World Tourism Day 2026, including the presentation of prizes to winners of the AI Competition.
The programme reflects a deliberate effort to connect Cameroon’s cultural and natural tourism resources with innovation, digital transformation and emerging technologies.
Tourism Meets Technology
The 2026 theme places technology at the centre of discussions about the future of tourism.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly creating possibilities in areas such as destination marketing, travel planning, visitor engagement, tourism data, personalised experiences and the development of smart tourism services.
For Cameroon, the celebration offers an opportunity to demonstrate how innovation can complement the country’s diverse tourism resources—from wildlife and ecotourism to cultural heritage, gastronomy, fashion, music and community-based tourism.
As Cameroon prepares to welcome tourism stakeholders, visitors, media professionals and industry partners to Yaoundé, the National Tourism and Leisure Week and World Tourism Day 2026 will provide a platform to celebrate heritage, promote innovation and explore the future of tourism in the digital age.
