Ecotourism and Community Development in Cameroon: The Nexus Between Local Participation and Trust in Government

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the community’s trust in government and the levels of community involvement and participation in Ecotourism. The study employed a social capital and mixed-method research approach, based on two case study areas in Cameroon: the Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP) and the Douala Edea Wildlife Reserve (DEWR). Key findings of the study suggest that levels of community involvement and participation in ecotourism were low in general, but the community perceptions of trust in the government have remained relatively positive. It is recommended that further research on this topic be conducted to gain a deeper insight into issues related to perceptions of trust, the involvement and participation of communities in the ecotourism sector, and how the nuanced sociopolitical context in Cameroon contributes to these issues. In doing so, an effective and dedicated ecotourism policy may be formulated to guide the strategic growth of the subsector.