Introducing Benin

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    Welcome to Benin

   Benin is blessed with rich and multi-facetted touristic heritage, streching from natural resources (climate, topography, sea and bar- beaches , fauna and flora, water-ways, waterfalls, etc. ..) to socio-cultural landmarks (history, culture, folklores, languages, religions, traditions, handcraft, museums, monuments, touristic and archaelogic sites, etc. ..)

   Amongst the touristic sites and attractions in Benin, the following may be mentioned : • Fine sand beaches adorned by coconut-trees under which fishermen weave their wide nets ; • Urban sites ( Porto-Novo in particular) where Saint-louisian-type architectural relics abound; • Coaslines, lagoons and lakes, vast waterways networks on which heavily depends the economic life of the riverine people ; • High-land areas (the Atacora mountains range) sheltering marvellous waterfalls and landscapes ; • The Pendjari national park (275,000 acres) and the " W" national park (570,000 acres), with vast hunting areas and rich wildlife. Benin is the only country in Africa with villages built on piles above rivers and lagoons. In fact, at Ganvié, down in the South of Benin, over 15,000 dwellers have succeeded in organizing anq 'maintaining life on water by building villages on piles.

   The Benin cultural heritage is also rich in content. The royal palaces located mainly in the South of the country offer Folkloric ceremonies of substantially touristic value. Benin is reputed to have sheltered the Road of Slaves and to be the cradle of Vodoo worship, which is nowadays practiced by 50 millions adherents, spread worlwide (Africa, Haiti, Brazil, America,...).

   The Vodoo worship is characterized by frequent manifestations and periodical demonstrations of danses and songs of a highly touristic value. On January 10, each year, Benin celebrates the national festival of worships which gather thousands of people from various parts of the World. The major needs of the Tourism Sector have been identified as follows : • Development of the country's tourist sites ; • Improvement of hotels hosting capacities; existing capacities are used at the rate of 10% to 65% during the year; • Construction and diversification of touristic accommodation sites, namely hotels, inns, holidays villages, Ieisure and entertainment centres, etc. ; • Provision of support infrastructure and centres of activities and touristic attractions.

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