Mme July CHIANGONG,Inspiring woman in the sector of tourism
She’s name Neh Julie Chiangong, founder and promoter of Nehlie Tours and Travels, a travel and tourism company located in the suburban area of Bonamoussadi – Douala. she is a seasoned global professional with nearly 30 years of experience. She has worked as an employee in many of the country’s renowned tourism companies, a tourism consultant and a freelance guide to many national and international travelers. she holds a degree in English private law LLB from the University of Yaoundé I, a diploma in travel agency management from an international institution based in England.
She agreed to give herself wholeheartedly to our process which consists of putting the influential woman in the field of tourism in the spotlight.
1- WHAT WERE YOUR MOTIVATIONS FOR STARTING THE JOURNEY IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM ?
My motivations of undertaking a journey in the tourism sector emanates from the fact that I am that person who will like to interact with people just to know more about them. As dynamic as I am, interacting with people has never been a problem. I love to discover new places, people etc. Growing up as a child with my parents moving from place to place for work equally increase the zeal to go beyond. My educational background equally amplified my knowledge, thereby making me an excellent guide on the field. With my history and geography background, not leaving out the customs and traditions of my people, studied in customary law kept me afloat.
2- CAN YOU TELL US IF IT'S A LONG, QUIET RIVER, OTHERWISE TELL US ABOUT THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE IN THIS AREA?
My journey into the tourism sector was never and has never been a smooth one. Looking at the situation of Cameroon and coupled with the fact that the tourism sector is the least recognised and catered for by the power that be, at every level there is always a challenge. Bureaucracy is the order of the day, non-technicians who know little or nothing about tourism are put in decision making positions. We face challenges in the field from stakeholders in the sector because of lack of education and lack of knowledge about the importance of tourism as a whole
3- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE THEME CHOSEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, 39th EDITION OF THE YEAR 2024. INVEST IN WOMEN, ACCELERATE THE PACE?
The 2024 theme for this year’s celebration of the international women’s day (Invest in women, accelerate the pace) is quite an excellent theme because when you invest in a woman in all domains, you have invested positively in the growth of a family, a community and the world at large. If the team of this year’s celebration does not ends on the 8th with drinking and dancing but ends at the face of active implementation, then we are all in for a better future for a generation unborn.
4- CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE IMPACT OF WOMEN IN THE TOURISM AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY ?
The impact of woman in travel and tourism is multifaceted far-reaching and vital in the industry’s growth and resilience. By nature, women are hospital, tender and have a listening ear. But truth be told, just like in other discipline, Women are disadvantaged at work in tourism and hospitality industries. In general terms and in reality, women may be better equipped than men in performing and overseeing in a wide variety of tourism and hospitality jobs. Female employees find employment in subordinated posts with low levels of income.
5- WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES WOMEN FACE AS TOURISM PROFESSIONALS ?
The challenges for a lady guide are enormous in a considered male dominated discipline. Exposure to dangers of being molested in all its form, disrespect from stakeholders and even villagers. Sexual harassment is not left out. Jungle safaris are very dangerous for women.
Ill health for women can easily fall sick on the field than men.
Women entrepreneurs in the tourism and travel industries face the challenge of non-availability of finances
Pressure from domestic responsibility
Stiff competitions are a challenge
Lack of support from the administration e.g., sponsoring trade fairs, helping them set up a befitting structures, publicity and advertisement, Organising more trainings sessions etc.
Problems of expansion and diversification. Less opportunities for career progression
6 - HOW BUSINESSES IN THE TOURISM SECTOR CAN PROMOTE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT ?
Offering job opportunity that will lead to a better life. Poverty will be eliminated
Women empowerment and gender equality
Improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality. Improve universal primary education and reduce child mortality Tourism can empowered a woman economically as written above, socially by enabling them learn from those they meet especially from other countries. Improvement in their usual community come together to foster developments
Women will learn how to keep their environment friendly for it to be attractive to visitors. The ecosystem will be balance if the importance of tourism is learned by the best teachers of all times
Philologically empowerment. A community that psychologically powerful can be seen as people who are optimistic about the future
7- WHAT ARE THE TOURISM INITIATIVES THAT CAN HIGHLIGHT WOMEN ?
Study on protecting the ecosystem. This initiative will tackle climate change and boost community resilience by neutralizing tourism’s carbon footprint, improving the livelihoods of local food producers, increasing local food security; while empowering women to better participate in the tourism value chains and conserving coastal ecosystems that act as carbon sinks.
Promoting resilience, health, equality and indigenous values
Keeping our indigenous values are primordial. This will enable visitors to visit and not destroy our core values. Keeping our environment clean and healthy
Promoting our local crafts like articles and our local cuisine that earn an income when they are purchased by visitors
8- HOW DOES THE WOMEN'S COMPETITION BRING ADDED VALUE TO THE TOURISM EXPERIENCE ?
A feminist competition can offer a lot of added value to tourism as a whole
When beauty competitions are organised, people come to see and our different cultures are show cased. Economically, income is generated
When our local crafts and cuisine are put out in trade fairs, income is generated and our values are show cased.
We thanks Ms. July CHIANGONG for her availability and especially for the love and her involvement in tourism,
HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY TO ALL OF YOU.
