• Benin approves Club Med resort in Avlékété to boost tourism sector

• 25-hectare site to feature 336 rooms, pools, spa, and sports facilities

• Project supports $1.4B tourism plan aiming to double sector’s GDP share

Benin has approved the construction of a Club Med resort in Avlékété, in the Ouidah municipality, the government said on Wednesday following a cabinet meeting. The project is part of a broader plan to upgrade the country’s hotel industry and strengthen its position as a regional tourism destination.

The resort will cover 25 hectares and include 336 rooms, among them 30 premium suites. Plans also call for two restaurants, four swimming pools, an international-brand spa, a wellness center, and recreational facilities such as tennis and padel courts, along with multiple water sports activities. Construction is expected to take two years.

According to the government statement, the project will be carried out under strict oversight to ensure compliance with contractual commitments and international standards in construction and hospitality management. The partnership with Club Med, a globally recognized operator, underscores Benin’s ambition to enter the high-end segment of the African tourism market.

The initiative fits into the government’s economic diversification strategy, which aims to reduce dependence on cotton and agriculture by positioning tourism as a key source of jobs and a driver for showcasing the country’s natural and cultural assets.

To support this shift, Benin has launched a $1.4 billion tourism development plan for 2025-2029. The investment is expected to stimulate growth and raise tourism’s share of GDP from 6% today to 13.4% by 2030.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou