Tourism in Benin

Tourism in Benin is a small industry. In 1996, Benin had approximately 150,000 tourists. A small country with a high concentration of tourist attractions, [ [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/benin/ Benin: Overview,] Lonely Planet] Benin's national parks and culture are among its main tourist attractions.Taylor & Francis Group, 2003, "Africa South of the Sahara 2004", Routledge, ISBN 1857431839, page 88.] Abomey is one of Benin's main tourist attractions, with palaces that became a World Heritage Site in 1982. The capital city Porto Novo's attractions include its museums and architecture.

Some of the best wildlife areas in West Africa are found in north Benin, where Pendjari National Park and W National Park are located.Hudgens, Jim, 2003, "The Rough Guide to West Africa ", Rough Guides, ISBN 1843531186, page 927.] The best time to see the Pendjari National Park's wildlife is towards the end of the dry season. [ [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/benin/sights/93492?list=true Benin: Sights,] Lonely Planet.] The park is accessible to travellers and accommodation is available. W National Park is located in Benin's far north, and stretches across Burkina Faso and Niger. The park has a wealth of wildlife, but is difficult to access from Benin.

Cotonou is the only international airport in Benin.Williams, Stephen, Dec 2002, [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5327/is_200212/ai_n21321547 Benin: The belly of history,] "African History".] There are direct flights to Benin from Belgium, France, and a number of African countries. [ [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/benin/getting-there-and-around Benin: Getting there & around,] Lonely Planet] There are 578 kilometres of railroad in the country, which were developed under a joint effort with the Republic of Niger.Leonard, Thomas M., 2006, "Encyclopedia of the Developing World", Taylor & Francis, ISBN 0415976626, page 198.]

Benin's government regards tourism as a method of diversifying its economy, attracting more foreign investment, and decreasing Benin's dependence on its agricultural industry. Although the government has a National Policy of Tourism Development, it has not made a strong effort to improve tourist facilities or to market Benin as a tourist destination. [http://www.euromonitor.com/Travel_And_Tourism_in_Benin Travel and Tourism in Benin,] Euromonitor.]

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