2024-02-28 18:30:25
Abandoned for a while due to the horrors of the military-political war of the 2000s, the Kroumen – natives of the San Pedro region and landowners – wish to reinvest in the thriving and rapidly developing tourism sector. In Roc, near Grand-Béréby, ecotourism projects have emerged.
Near Olivier Djiboro’s camp, the sand is carefully raked every morning. The space facing the ocean offers a corner of tranquility appreciated by tourists. It was in 2016 that young people from the village started building bamboo huts to welcome visitors.
Protection of turtles
« The idea came when an NGO decided to protect turtles, does it unfold. Many tourists came to the village to visit the baby turtles. So when they came, they wanted to sleep there. But there was no roof, there was no accommodation. This is what motivated us to create this space. »
Eight huts were built and equipped on the beach. No bathroom, but dry toilets and buckets of water for showering. An ecological approach defended by Olivier Djiboro.
« All you see on the coast are hotelshe explains. So we said to ourselves that we had to make at least a difference from what others had. At the start, we didn’t have too many resources. This is what led us to create bamboo huts, which also help to better preserve nature. »
Community balance
Olivier Djiboro’s idea as well as the growing success of the Grand-Béréby destination made other villagers want to launch into this activity. Gnépa David moves huge palm leaves to build a kitchen space. “Here, we will have a small bar to be able to make them feel comfortablehe says with pride. I like the area so much that I really gave it my all. So that those who come will feel the same feeling I have for the place. »
To respect the community balance of the village, the income from these activities is shared. A part of the income goes to the village, to also compensate residents who do not exercise on the beach. “ There is an income for the village chief, who puts it in a common fund, for small expenses, we can draw from there! », Explain the two men.
They have not received aid or subsidies to develop their project, but the authorities are trying to promote the region. The candidacy of the neighboring village of Mani-Bereby has been submitted to the World Tourism Organization, in order to join the list of the Most Beautiful Tourist Villages in the World.
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