Abstract
This paper explores sport tourism and its contribution to local economic development in an
emerging destination context. Sport tourism events have been earmarked as having the ability to spotlight
previously neglected and underdeveloped destinations. Resultantly, countries in Africa have recognised the
potential of sport tourism to stimulate LED. Using a mixed-method research design, the study collected 670
surveys with sport event attendees at four distinct events in Cameroon. In addition, key informant interviews
were conducted with officials in the domain of tourism and sport. Data reveal that, by and large, sport
tourism contributes significantly to LED and plays an important role in the promotion of the region. The
study provides critical lessons for the local government and relevant authorities in tourism and sport
regarding policy formulation and planning around sport tourism events. Particularly, the need for local
authorities to leverage sport tourism events further for the broadening of community benefits exists.