In recent years, Benin has been drawing on its painful past to promote tourism.
The Door of No Return, the starting point of the transatlantic slave trade. The monument, located in the coastal city of Ouidah, attracts many visitors.
"We want to develop the tourist side of our country because we have a very rich history, which is largely unknown to the world, and we want to try to showcase it. So it's really important to have something that catches the eye," explains Arsène Ahounou, a resident of Cotonou.
Figures of chained slaves are sculpted on the site's facade, a reminder of the suffering endured by Africans during the slave trade. Onyinye Anumba came from Nigeria to immerse herself in a part of the continent's history.
"I've watched a lot of videos or films and read a lot about this place. Seeing it with my own eyes and live has somehow reinforced the idea that Africa has a history and that a lot has happened here throughout that history; witnessing it is so amazing for me because I've heard so much about it. So, just being here makes me proud of what Africa has," the Nigerian woman said.
The Temple of the Python, dating from the 13th century, is also one of the sites that attracts tourists to Benin. A visit is an immersion into Voodoo. Here, people pose for photos with snakes coiled around their shoulders.
"Here we do not do mass tourism, we focus more on cultural tourism. We want to clarify things, help people understand, and we practice memorial tourism related to the history of slavery," says Modeste Zinsou, chief guide of the Temple of Pythons.
To stimulate tourism, Benin has launched major infrastructure projects, including the renovation of roads and hotels.
"Because of its history, Benin is a country of great culture and deep historical tradition, which has been home to important kingdoms on this same territory and has witnessed a significant moment in the history of humanity, namely the slave trade," says Alain Godonou, presidential advisor in charge of heritage and museums.
Benin wants to ensure that tourism represents 10 to 15% of GDP within ten years, compared to about 6% today.
