Global Journal of Management and Business Research, F: Real Estate, Event and Tourism Management, Volume 23 Issue 3

Buzzing opportunities: Integrating apitourism for enriching the tourism heritage of the Republic of Benin Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( F ) XXIII Issue III Version I Year 2023 7 © 2023 Global Journals i. Apitourism in the Southern Region The southern region extends from the coast to the latitude of Abomey, is dominated by small-sized honey bees of iberiensis and scutellata genotypes. Very few beekeepers are operational in this poor beekeeping potential area with sparse melliferous plants and higher parasitic pressures (Amakpe et al. , 2015; ASECNA, 2021). On the other hand, it is the area of high human concentration and high consumption of all kinds of goods and services in the Republic of Benin. This region hosts more than 75% of tourism reception capacities and receives the maximum number of visitors per year (PST, 2013). With its low beekeeping capacity, apitourism sites will be based on imported materials from relevant beekeeping sites in the district of Djidja. A production chain for vision colonies and specialized equipment must, therefore, be sustained with professional beekeepers who have artificial queen rearing sites and experimental nests for Melipona and solitary bees. The most suitable places to house apitourism sites in this region are museums and private tourism sites in the cities of Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Allada, Seme, Pobe and Lokossa. Some sacred groves are visited by tourists all year round, and may also harbour bee-based circuits to reinforce the respect for the deities and sacred principles they host (Agbaka, 2022). ii. Apitourism in the Central Region This region extends from the district of Djidja and the Plateau department to the latitude of Bembèrèkè. With scutellata and adansonii honey bee races, it is the area with the highest melliferous plant diversity and abundance and also home to the largest beekeeper population (Yedomonhan 2016; Balagueman et al. , 2017). Serving as the departure zone for ecotourism and hunting trips to the north, it is the second tourism region with 18% of the country's estimated tourism reception capacity (PST, 2013). Apitourism sites in this transition zone will serve for both the launch and closing of traditional tourism hikes for visitors who will enjoy a greater diversity of beekeeping practices and beehive products. Experienced local beekeepers who may serve as bee guides are an opportunity to affordable access to beekeeping equipment, and relevant themes on bees and their services. Apitourism sites in this region will preferentially be established in the cities of Abomey, Bohicon, Djidja, Dassa, Savalou, Ketou, Parakou, Djougou, Bassila and Bembèrèkè whose beekeepers will be strengthened in the supply, use and maintenance of apitourism materials. iii. Apitourism in the Northern Region The northern region the country, which extends from the district of Bembèrèkè to the far north, is made up of the Niger, Mekrou, Alibori, Sota and Penjari river basins. Parasitic pressures are low in this area where the melliferous flora is dominated by Vitellaria paradoxa orchards, inherited from the selective slash-burn agro- system in favour of this species (Glele Kakai et al., 2011; Bidou et al. , 2019; Amoako & Gambiza, 2021). In this area, the bee colonies are essentially made up of the aggressive adansonii race (Paraizo et al. , 2012; Amakpe, 2018). These regions harbour the country’s oldest beekeeping practices with traditional hives. With only 8% of the country's tourism reception capacity, it is the area of parks, hunting trails, landscapes, and specific cultural values of the North. In this area, apitourism sites will mainly be integrated into the functional classic tourism itineraries of the parks and hunting areas in cooperation with the highly organized local communities. The cities of Kandi, Banikoara, Malanville, Natitingou, Tanguieta, and Porga are the best places to host the new apitouristic centres in addition to the reception sites of the parks and hunting areas. e) Apitourism Sites Establishment and Management Criteria The establishment of the apitourism sites must meet the profitability criteria of the tourism enterprise, which are determined by the attendance rates. It should offer the visitors and local communities, a proven level of safety against honey bee attacks. Regarding the attendance rate improvement, the charged prices for access to tourism sites are not decisive for foreign tourists (Marcotte & Bourdeau., 2010; FPT, 2012). Nevertheless, apitourism site managers would benefit from practicing special attractive costs for social categories such as schoolboys, students, and the elderly to promote a kind of craze for bee tourism at the national and local levels. Ensuring “zero sting” during visits is key to success with the honey bee races, which are particularly aggressive in the entire country. Inspection and discussion rooms must then be isolated from roads and surrounding properties. They must also be well equipped to prevent accidental honeybee attacks, which are sometimes fatal, during visits to apiaries in tropical areas (Brunet, 2008; Mbengogo et al. , 2018; Veado et al. , 2020). Likewise, a minimum safety distance from public and private infrastructure or properties is required to ensure that bees are not life-threatening issues for people and domestic herds around apitourism sites (Veado et al. , 2020). For the stability and continuity of apitourism services, social bees’ colonies must be provided by professional beekeepers who are skilled in artificial colony delivery. The honey bee queens must be marked and maintained in the hives by appropriate queen excluders to prevent desertions and frequent swarming, which characterize tropical honey bees (Winston et al., 1983; Rubink et al. , 1996; Hepburn, 2010). For the non- stinging bee, Hypotrigona ruspolii , their nests will be set in bee hotels (figure 4). Although they do not sting, the