Challenges and prospects for the development of tourism in Foumban historic town of West Cameroon

The simple evocation of Fumban reminds national and international tourists of the great cultural and artistic treasures of the Bamun people. Be it the royal palace constructed at the dawn of the 20th century, her museum enriched with treasures and royal attires, and/or the diversities of ancestral practices during the Nguon celebrations ; the headquarters of the Noun division is a treasure which attracts between 4 500 and 5 000 visitors each year. Visits are mainly directed to the palace and its museum. The principal actors involved in the practice of touristic activities are : his Royal Highness the Sultan, King of the Bamun who supervises and coordinates the good functioning of the cultural aspects ; the touristic operators, who come from metropolis with their client to Fumban ; local guides who, according to the degree of confidence put on them, have access to the royal museum if it seems that each actor plays an essential role for the development of tourism in the town, some lacunas can be observed ; outstandingly there is : a concentration of touristic activities in the central town ; the non existence of a predefined circuit, therefore monotony in the actual circuit ; a limited number of actors ; a lack of maintenance of some sites in the natural environment. This article relies on the hypothesis that concerted management of tourism between actors is a solution for a better definition of their role for an optimal and sustainable utilization of touristic sites in the town, and consequently, a multiplication of incoming flow. The objective is to propose a local scheme of touristic management, with precisions on the role of actors according to the social organization of institutional and administrative requirements. The main result is that the implementation of a strategic local scheme of concerted management of tourism with configuration favors sustainability. //ABSTRACT IN FRENCH: La simple évocation du nom de Foumban rappelle aux touristes nationaux et internationaux les grandes richesses culturelle et artisanale du peuple Bamoun. En effet, qu'il s'agisse du Palais royal édifié au début du XXe siècle, de son musée riche d'attributs royaux et d'objets anciens, ou encore de la diversité des pratiques ancestrales lors des manifestations du Ngouon, le chef-lieu du département du Noun attire en moyenne 4 500 à 5 000 visiteurs chaque année. Ces visites sont tournées essentiellement vers le Palais et son musée. Les principaux acteurs intervenant dans l'acti