Lack of basic services in the tourism industry: A study of stakeholders’ perspectives in Bamenda, Cameroons. The city of Bamenda in Cameroons: Source. ABC (2018) Student: Jenling Immanuel Supervisor: Saeid Abbasian Södertörns University | School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies Master Dissertation | 15 hp |Credits Subject |Tourism Studies: Master Programme Spring term 2019 Abstract The purpose of the study is to highlight and investigate lack of basic services on city tourism in Bamenda from a national and an international stakeholders’ perspective. The study also aims to explore potential solutions and suggest improvements that can make Bamenda more competitive as a tourist destination. Basic services focused on has been insecurity, infrastructure shortage and unskilled personnel on tourism sub industries, electricity outages and unstable internet supply. To understand the scope of, the problem, a qualitative method approach was used whereby thirty-seven persons were interviewed. The respondents were adult males and females between the age range 38- 50 who have years of working experience and academic background that ranged from bachelor’s degree to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) The study identified government negligence in providing needed infrastructure and services as some of the biggest setbacks to the smooth functioning of the tourism industry in Bamenda. It was surprisingly realized that Bamenda has a diverse culture capable of attracting many international tourists as well as a very dynamic population. Additionally, it was noted that there is a devastating crisis of identity in the Cameroons that has brought tourism to near zero. Key words: Bamenda, City Tourism, Cameroons, Services, Stakeholders, Perception i Acknowledgement I would like to acknowledge the assistance of my supervisor Saeid Abbasian and Christian Widholm who guided me through the study by providing necessary adjustments during the supervision sessions. Their professional insight contributed a great deal to the progress of this study. I would also like to express my appreciation to the participants who took their time to participate. Their contribution added valuable insights that made the study possible. Special thanks go to Dr. Che who provided some professional expertise that helped shape the empirical questions and suggested the creation of a google generated questionnaire. This facilitated the sharing of interview material to the participants on various social network platforms. Finally, I would like to thank my lovely wife Wubiy for her encouragement to study for a master’s degree and my brother Lobti for his brilliant motivation. ii Table of Contents Abstract ...............................................................................................................................................i Acknowledgement .............................................................................................................................. ii Lists of figures & tables ....................................................................................................................... v 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ...............................................................................................................................1 1.1.2 Tourism and Political instability in Cameroons ....................................................................2 1.1.3 The city of Bamenda ...........................................................................................................4 1.2 Problem discussion....................................................................................................................6 1.2.1 Basic services and Tourism .................................................................................................8 1.3 Dissertation Aim ........................................................................................................................9 1.4 Research question .....................................................................................................................9 1.5 Delimitations .............................................................................................................................9 1.5.1 Definitions ..........................................................................................................................9 1.6 Dissertation outline ................................................................................................................. 11 2. Method ......................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Research approach .................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Qualitative versus quantitative research methods ................................................................... 12 2.3 Advantages and disadvantages ................................................................................................ 14 2.3.1 Qualitative research ......................................................................................................... 14 2.3.2 Quantitative research ....................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Dissimilarities between quantitative and qualitative research ................................................. 14 2.5 Chosen method ....................................................................................................................... 15 2.6 Data collection method ........................................................................................................... 16 2.7 Data collection procedure ....................................................................................................... 16 2.7.1 The research questions ..................................................................................................... 16 2.7.2 Interviews with stakeholders ............................................................................................ 17 2.8 Data analysis method .............................................................................................................. 18 2.9 Validity and reliability .............................................................................................................. 19 2.10 Ethical considerations............................................................................................................ 20 2.11 Methodology Critique ........................................................................................................... 20 3 Theoretical frameworks ................................................................................................................. 22 3.1 Literature review ..................................................................................................................... 22 3. 2 The stakeholder’s concepts .................................................................................................... 30 3. 3 Carrying capacity .................................................................................................................... 31 3. 4 An operative economic factor to solve lack of basic services ................................................... 32 iii 3.4.1 The multiplier effect ......................................................................................................... 32 3.4.2 Destination competitiveness............................................................................................. 34 4. Theoretical synthesis ................................................................................................................. 35 4 Empirical results ............................................................................................................................. 36 4.1 Demographic parameters ........................................................................................................ 36 4.1.1. Participants (stakeholders and tourists) ........................................................................... 36 4.1.2. The Interviews ................................................................................................................. 37 4.3 Question and answer summarized........................................................................................... 38 4.3.1 What basic services are lacking in the city? ....................................................................... 38 4.3.2 What effective suggestions to challenges have been suggested? ...................................... 39 4.4 Gaps or incompleteness in the results ..................................................................................... 40 5 Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 41 5.1 Thematic analysis procedure ................................................................................................... 41 5. 2 Thematic development ........................................................................................................... 42 5. 2. 1 The value of stakeholder’s’ growth ................................................................................. 42 5. 2. 2 Bamenda and carrying capability