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 10 © 2023 Global Journals visitors, the opportunity to address the products and services they can acquire from local beekeepers and tips for creating their beekeeping site, Melipona or solitary bee nests. IV. C onclusion Integrating hive products and bee services in tourism heritage is an opportunity for improving and diversifying tourism facets that have long been limited to classic tourism sites in Benin. Apiculture and bee management is key of success in the establishment of any operational apitourism site. But Melipona, and solitary bees’ management, requires additional specific skills, and knowledge to fully play their function in the apitourism complex. As any innovation, the development of the new apitourism sector which will open up a perspective for poverty alleviation, will be subject to the constraints, and burdens of adoption in social areas. In order to take the best advantage from the favourable ecological, political, and socio-cultural apitouristic conditions in Benin, the whole West Africa, and beyond, sustained investments, and deeper investigations on each component of the operational apitourism chain are required. Pilot apitourism sites should be established in the historic cities of Abomey and Ouidah as a starting point for progressively extending it, in a trial and adapt process. The technical and managerial capacities of the involved actors must also be strengthened through effective public and private agreed partnerships. It will also be necessary to master and evaluate the national, regional, and international bee-related legislative framework to prevent conflicts, and regulatory challenges that may emerge from the innovations. V. A cknowledgement The authors thank the staff of Cercle Nature et Development (CENAD-NGO) and the General Directorate of Forest and Natural Resources Management (DGEFC) for their kind contributions in contacting the different involved actors. Conflict of Interest The authors certify that they performed their investigations without any financial, commercial, legal, or professional relationship with other organizations, employers, or funders that may be considered as conflict of interest. Funding These investigations benefited by no funding. R eferences R éférences R eferencias 1. 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