Tourism in Benin

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Tourism in Benin is a small industry. In 1996, Benin had approximately 150,000 tourists. By 2014 number rose to 242,000. 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|1-85743-183-9}}, 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.

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|0-415-97662-6}}, 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.

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|1-84353-118-6}}, 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.