Evaluating ecotourism assets in the Cameroonian cities hosting the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations

Considering the African Cup of Nations (AfCoN) as an important tourism opportunity, the present article aims to advertise Cameroon’s touristic potential by assessing the ecological conditions of 11 cities hosting matches of the competition and their respective dance patrimony. In addition to the urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI), the land surface temperature (LST) was computed. Both parameters are derived from Landsat-8 OLI images using a combined GIS-remote sensing method and spatially represented. According to the UTFVI values, the ecological conditions are at least acceptable everywhere except a thin zone in Ngaoundere where conditions are bad. Minimum values of UTFVI in those cities are respectively −0.12, −0.22, −1.05, −0.14, −0.08, −0.06, −0.50, −0.77, −0.50, −0.57 and −0.12 while maximum values are respectively 0.23, 0.29, 0.23, 0.14, 0.42, 0.11, 20, 0.35, 21, 56 and 0.14. LST range from 10 °C (in Douala with a max value of 27 °C) to 71 °C (in Foumban with a min value of 59 °C). Each city under study has a set of traditional dances that can attract potential visitors. The article contributes to the promotion of sustainability and ecotourism in Cameroon on the occasion of the 33 rd AfCoN edition.