Author: DETENTE CONSULTANTS

Period: December 2004

Numbers of Pages: 29

Summary

The conclusions of the state of the site show the potential and the constraints of the various criteria of analysis regarding the environmental aspects, town planning, infrastructure, socio-economic context, and tourist potential.

Potential sites with development priority and their characteristics

The tourist development reach of the Fishing Road is very vast with a total surface of 3589 ha including 2600 unsuitable ha and 1000 H suitable.

On the whole, three sites were selected to accomodate the priority developments of the Fishing Road, according to their geographical location, land situation, environmental and landscape assets, and technical and financial constraints in terms of infrastructure.

The Beninese authorities pose, as preliminary criteria, that the development of the Fishing Road is sustainable, which implies that the master lines of installation ensure protection of the medium, profitability of the project, and balance between the social, tourist and residential functions of installations.

Environmental dimension

The principal assets of the Fishing Road for its tourist development are the quality and the strong personality of its landscape and its authenticity, which any project must preserve and develop as well as possible.

Social dimension

The Fishing Road is a place of many occupations and human activities, which contribute largely to its attraction as a tourist zone and one of leisure: diversity of the landscapes thanks to the diverse cultures, authenticity of the traditional villages, the activities of fishing in the ocean and the lagoon, reception of the population�?�
The vocation of the Fishing Road cannot be only tourist, it acts rather a combination of vocations. And beside the purposes of residential district or tourism, the purpose of local leisures for Cotonou’s inhabitants is very important.

The scenario of installation retained by the Steering committee at the end of the phase 1

It is about:

• creating a new district of Cotonou “Togbin/Adounko Beach”, autonomous and with its own “smart and connected” personality;
• requalifying the public beach of Cotonou;
• creating a tourist and hotel pole ‘Djègbadji resorts�?�;
• developing éco-tourist products Avlékété;
• preserving the whole of the zone completely

Prerequisites to the development of the Fishing Road

The success of the tourist project of development of the Fishing Road is depends on several sine qua non.

Improvement of Benin’s accessibility by air

To attract the tourist customers, Benin must be accessible, and at prices equivalent to those of the directly concurrent regional destinations.

The airport costs on the airport of Cotonou do not seem excessive:

• operations of assistance
• the fuel Jet A1 seems reasonable compared to the other countries of West Africa except for Nigeria;
• the royalties income by the airport of Cotonou seems on the high side of average.

Several international agreements are under discussion currently:

• in regards to Benin
• on a broader level

The international agreements are continue to evolve. The relations between Africans are free since the decision of Yamoussoukro in 2000 and the Heads of State of the OAU in Lome.

Favourable land rights environment

In order to invest in this project, investors and devleopers will demand :

• A clear situation regarding property rights
• Prices compatible with an operation’s financial logic

For the Fishing Road project, public power must be able to sell titled land at symbolic prices, as is done in Egypt along the ocean or in Marocco in the Framework of the Azur Plan.

Measures to facilitate an encourage investment

There is not currently an investment code for tourism and taxes penalize investors greatly.

Attractice excursion sites

In order to be attractive, the Fishing Road product should be composed of:

• Quality loding with a typical ambiance
• Leisure activities on site, pools in hotels, activities at Togbin, boating excursions on the lagoon, a golf course at Djègbadji,�?�
• Day trips

There is great potential for day trips and excursions ; the natural and cultural patrimony of Benin is rich and diverse.

But, currently, this potential is under-exploited

• Insufficient valorisation of tourism
• Important needs for conservation and restoration: the royal palace and tombs at Nikki, the royal palace of King Béhanzin at Djimè-Abomey, the Amazon camp at Abomey

Three projects to valorise tourism related to the Beninese patrimony are priorities:

• The cultural center at Ouidah and the Slave Route; taking into account the closeness of Ouidah and the Fishing Road, it’s tourist valorisation is a priority project. A feasibility study related to the tourism valorisation of Ouidah and elsewhere is being carried out by the Mister of Culture, Craftsmen, and Tourism.
• The lake town of Ganvié : due to its proximity to the Fishing Road, it’s unique character, and the fact that it already has a tourism structure in place, making Ganvié a tourist attraction is equally a priority project.
• The natural parks at Pendjari and W : large investments have already been seen at Pendjari
• Cultural Sites: Porto-Novo, Abomey, the royal palace at Abomey, Kétou, Allda, Nikki, Bohicon ; Tatas, Tanekas, Baribas, and Yoruba villages
• Natural sites: Lake Nokoué ad the lake villages, Bouches du Roy, Lake Ahémé and the hot springs

Within the framework of the National Tourist Development Policy adopted in 1998, several development projects for these sites were begun by the Minstry of Culture, Craftsmen, and Tourisme.

To accompany the development and the valorisation of these different sites, the Ministry of Culture, Craftsmen, and Tourism should

• Aid the development of one or several agencies receptive to organizing excursions
• Put a promotional policy in place.

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