The BRH was built by Italian firms with materials imported from Italy to give it that global taste
Emmanuel Ukudolo l Tuesday, March 07, 2023
COTONOU, Benin Republic – Situated just about 698 kilometers away from Nigeria, Benin or Benin Republic is the closest country to Nigeria on the West African sub-region but appears very far when it comes to reach in terms of tourism.
It seems far since most Nigerians spend their holidays in places like Ghana, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, South Africa, Havana, the UK and the United States where they have and are receiving very shoddy treatment to say the list.
But the Beninois are saying that what you seek miles away across the Atlantic Ocean is right here in your backyard and everything has been put in place to give you the comfort and a very secure environment even more than what you seek millions of miles away.
Right from the entry point, you are greeted with an air of conviviality, smart police force and very courteous immigration officers.
As you move inward, you are dazed by orderliness, society, well paved roads decked into the nearest building, with separate lanes dedicated to motorbikes, who go about their activities in an orderly manner cautious of their speed limits.
None among the cyclists were spotted without a crash helmet but the passengers, with the majority working along with the dictates of the traffic lights. More impressive is the way the roads are made, some extending to as much as four lanes on both sides with street lights that the keep the community well lit at night, and in the process engendering a 24 hour economy.
Unlike what you find in other African states, the markets are clean, while flies and other insets are kept at bay, kudos to a very decent and clean environment devoid of foul smell.
Benin Royal Hotel
The Benin Royal Hotel, ranked 4 Star by the government of Benin Republic is the leader in the hospital sector.
Situated in the centre of Cotonou, specifically at Lot 398,Quartier Maro Militaire – Vons face Toxi Labo. It is about 10 minutes drive from the Cardinal Bernadin Gantin International Airport and about 20 minutes drive from the land border and a walking distance to major businesses, leisure and places of attraction.
As you step into the cozy reception you are greeted with a lovely customer service team that is fluent in French, English and Yoruba before you are ushered in to your luxury room, a king size bed, executive chair for at least two visitors, a work desk, free internet service, central cooling system and portable television with audio connected into the bathroom and toilet so that you never miss anything so long as you are in the room.
Some of the rooms are fitted with Jacuzzi. For the ladies, a hand dryer comes in handy in the bathroom with all other accessories you would find in any world class hotel.
Benin Royal Hotel has a rooftop swimming pool on the fifth floor with dressing and toilet area including bathrooms and facility for Karaoke; a standard gymnasium on the 7th floor, a restaurant bar, snooker, lounge, spa centre, a culinary restaurant and a lounge bar with billiards. Besides, the hotel has eight conference rooms, making it possible to host multiple shows at the same time. Click here to have an idea of how the 65 rooms look like and some of the breathtaking facilities. One of such large gathering was the unveiling of this suave damsel, Miss Bezayit Tadesse Gizachew as the face of Consortium Touristes Per Millions (CTM).
She is a delight for paparazzi, giving you the pose and the alluring smiles needed for that lovely photo.
Bezayit Tadesse Gizachew is an Ethiopian and former Miss ECO Tourism. Her unveiling proved to be a very rare opportunity to savour the rich cultural heritage of the Republic of Benin, history and its connection with the Yorubas and Nigeria in particular – with the colourful display of masquerades, to beautiful dance drama that reminds one of the rich cultural heritage.
Addressing guests during the Fam tour, put together by Kalo Africa Media, Mr. Dine Bouraima, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Benin Royal Hotel spoke highly of his experience before delving into the hospitality sector.
Bouraima, who is also President, Consortium Touristes Par Millions(CTM-Benin) said the hotel was built in 2014 and was inaugurated by then President of the Republic of Benin adding that business has been good since then.
He explained that the BRH was rated 4 star by government unlike what you see in other hotels. It has five suits and 65 service rooms in addition to a standard swimming pool and a gym.
The BRH was built by Italian firms with materials imported from Italy to give it that global taste. He said it took months to install fixtures and fittings.
Bouraima, who is also an Ambassador of African Tourism Board for Benin Republic sees himself as a Nigerian with frequent trips to Nigeria and with chains of business there. He describes the Benin Royal Hotel as number one in Cotonou’ “It’s national and of international standard”, he said and you could savour all his sayings moving round the hotel, its magnificent piece of arts and intercontinental cuisine and sumptuous meals.
For him, a Beninois sees Nigeria as its own United Kingdom and United States of America. While complaining about border blockades, he is asking Nigerians to take Benin and the Benin Royal Hotel as their own and wonders why Nigerians are spending so much going elsewhere when all the comfort they desire is well catered for in Cotonou.
He wants Africans to do things together for the development of tourism in the continent, stressing that it is remains a win-win for all.
The President of CTM-Benin – an association of all hotels, freight companies, travel agencies, restaurants, artistes, airline operators etc – says there is accomplishment in doing things together.
“It’s a win-win for everybody, I take my share, your take your share. Together we succeed. It is important we work together for success”, he advised.
He gives credit for the no visa requirement for Africans coming to Cotonou as one of the successes of CTM.
For him, one of the issues affecting hospitality sector is the high rate of workers turnover after money has been invested in training.
But as for the people, he said “ Our people are very good, they will help you if you have problem. Hospitality is perfect”, he said and this is what you see as you drive through Cotonou, a very orderly society.
The New Benin Mur Du Port
The New Benin Mur Du Port situated at La Marina Road is acclaimed as the world’s largest street artwork or graffiti as some would call it on a massive wall along the route, which the tourist guide, Cleopatra said was painted in a period of three months by a consortium of 24 artists from all over the world.
In summary, the Benin Mur Du Port is the story of Benin yesterday, today and the future. Standing out in this piece of artwork is the face of the Kenyan movie actress, Lupita Nyong’o , the culture of water as neutralizer of evils among other cultural practices.
The Amazon
As you move a little bit further just behind the Presidential villa comes the imposing image of Tassihangbe popularly called Amazon who fought against imperialism. The imposing golden sculptural piece is 100 feet tall and about 150 tons put together by a group of artists led by Chinese sculptor, Li Xiangquan.
However, Cleopatra says the image stands for every African woman, and so it could be Chinyere, Kemi or Amina as long as you are a woman.
The Amazon erected on a very wide expanse of concrete floor is now a Mecca of sorts for visitors, who throng the area to behold this masterpiece of artwork at every time of the day with the whole surrounding well lit. Again, there are no street urchins to harass anybody and there is no buying and selling as you savour this peaceful environment.
Obama International Beach, funfair for all ages
The Obama beach which has a ticket pass is not very far from the Benin Royal Hotel. It is very unique based on the caliber of people that visits. It is a place, not only for young people but equally for the elderly such that you might think that a church programme is about kicking off on the elevated stage on the beach front as you see even the elderly saunter into the arena well dressed with headgears like people going in for a sermon in the church.
But that tells you so much about the serenity that pervades the beach. It is seen as place of relaxation for all irrespective of ages, very neat and devoid of street urchins.
Just into the shore and very close to the Atlantic Ocean, you could observe a large number of visitors on the seashore enjoying the cool air as the waves lands ashore. Right into the waves you are stunned by a group of teenagers enjoying the splashes, diving under the waves as it lands ashore few metres into the ocean and having the best of fun with some locking up one another with ropes as safeguard as the ferocious waves lands and recedes.
Some distance away from the beach front is the sitting area dotted with tables, artistically created from large tyres surrounded with chairs for guests to seat and enjoy music and dance drama, while you enjoy your drinks late into the evening, with the beach front well lit.
There are also makeshift structures within the perimeters for guests who want to sit in group and enjoy their meals served hot with chilled drinks and medley of music from standby Disc Jockeys playing popular African rhythms before the main show featuring choreography and, dance drama begin.
While enjoying our meals, a curious reporter asked Cleopatra what government has done to efface flies both in the market and on the open beach. Her answer was that there was no fumigation as most of us thought. She said government did nothing except to keep the environment clean.
