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 8 © 2023 Global Journals native H ruspolii species causes discomfort by penetrating the nose, eyes, and ears when disturbed. The promoter should then ensure to visitors, the provision of specific clothing in compliance with hygiene rules during the tours (Bauer, 2015). Regarding the solitary bee species, they may be observed from their nests, which may also be installed in association with the Melipona nests. These nests are made up of pipes, stacked in specific cages or galleries of varying diameters, which are drilled into wooden planks and placed in the bee hotel (Rauf et al. , 2022). Many Hymenoptera species, such as wasps, are associated with bee hotels, and some of them may be aggressive with dangerous and allergenic stings (Steiner 1986; Schmidt et al. , 1983). The manager is then required to take particular care to them for the safety of visitors. Figure 4: Solitary and Melipona Nests Found at a Bee Hotel in the District of Lokossa. f) Stakeholders of the Apitourism Industry The stakeholders are any involved in the development of traditional tourism and those in the beekeeping sector. As apitourism is a multidisciplinary approach involving public-private cooperation, the administration responsible for managing national tourism will ensure an operational framework between beekeepers, promoters of tourism sites, researchers, tourists, and local communities (Marcotte & Bourdeau, 2010). This allows the shared establishment of the roles, and responsibilities of each actor. It also helps define academic curricula to strengthen the institutional and individual capacities of site managers, tourist guides and beekeepers, as well as improving the necessary legal and regulatory framework for good governance and sustainability of the innovations. In the socio- economic, cultural, and political contexts of the Republic of Benin, table 1 analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of potentially involved actors in apitourism development. Table 1: SWOT Analysis of the Involved Actors in Apitourism Development in Benin. Stakeholders Role and Responsibilities Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Vodun Rite Committee Ensure the proper integration of Bee tourism in the Vodun tourism heritage Established by the government, made up of highly qualified experts in Vodun and tourism Too young committee Need time to be operational. Not skilled in Apitourism issues Governmental support Administrative burden Overwhelmed by political orientations Tourists Pay visit fees. Respects country lows. Give feed backs Acceptable Financial capacity Some may be foreigners New opportunity to learn and contri-bute to bee conservation projects Risk of bee stings Guides and apitouristic site manager Satisfy tourists curiosity. Ensure safety at the site Acceptable knowledge on the country tourism and beekeeping activities Low professional skills in tourism and apitourism New business opportunities. Good tourism legal framework in Benin False advertisement and fake hive products trade