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Ganvie - Village on stilts - Benin, West Africa.
The scene was lit by a big tropical "paper moon, that seemed to hang in the sky for our personal benefit. ATA's opening gala was a riot of colorful costumes - a whirling dervish with high energy dance routines, leaping and spinning to the ever present beat of African drums. How's that for an introduction to Africa?
Benin,
West Africa offers many delights
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Being
part of the Africa Travel Association brings rewards
throughout the year, the very pinnacle of which is the
privilege of attending an ATA Congress and experiencing the
delights of a different African country every year. Nothing
could have prepared me for the pleasant surprise I received
on the eve of ATA's 22nd Congress in Cotonou. In fact, the
entire fortnight in Benin was a whirlwind affair... one that
has becomea permanent bookmark in a lifetime of surprises
and serendipity. Our group from North America stepped right
off the Air Afrique jet into the heat of the night and what
seemed like an exotic Arabian Nights style movie set.
Imagine the scene in cinemascope and high fidelity,
wraparound sound; an exotic garden party on the spacious
patio of the Benin Sheraton in Cotonou (now under new
management). 
Jet-Setters
Meet : While strolling through the Medina in Marrakech,
Morocco in December, 2002, we had the pleasure of a chance
meeting with a familiar friend, Marie-Elyse Gbedo,
former Tourism Minister of Benin. Later that day we visited
with her at the Imperial Borj hotel for an interview session
regarding her visions for West Africa in the coming decade.
This meeting was timely, since Ms. Gbedo was in the
Marrakech for the African Professional Women's Association
(details to come Conference. Watch for her comments and a
description of the Imperial Borj hotel later in this
section.
If
you're looking for an unusual, affordable vacation, be sure
to put Benin on your "Agenda Africa" for the coming year.
Benin is an enchanting West African nation roughly the size
of Pennsylvania, yet it is a complete destination with
enough variety to fill a two-week vacation. From the drier
northern elevations, to the lower lying south, this
hospitable country is a safe and a friendly place to
explore. After gaining independence from France in 1960
Benin went through some difficult times. Today Benin is a
multi-party democracy made up of six provinces. The
president, who is the head of the government and chief of
state, is elected for a five year term. In 1999, voters went
to the polls and elected members of parliament, reinforcing
the stable political atmosphere. 