Aného, the little-known tourist pearl of Togo
Located about 50 kilometers from the capital Lomé, the town of Aného, nestled between the landscapes of coconut trees and the shades of blue of the mouth of Lake Togo, is a real seaside resort in the making. However, it remains unknown to the general public and its tourist potential remains largely untapped. This is why a group of young Africans, brought together as part of the “I am committed to Africa” program, set out to find concrete solutions to boost tourism in this city.
The observation is clear: Aného has immense potential, both culturally and naturally. However, the high unemployment rate constitutes a major obstacle to tourism development. The young residents of the “I’m committed to Africa” program therefore proposed the creation of a training center dedicated to hospitality professions, particularly in the field of hotels and restaurants. This initiative would not only promote local heritage, but also offer employment opportunities to young people looking for work.
Because, as Kevin N’Chanda, one of the public affairs consultants participating in the project, says, “a city is not born touristy, it becomes one”. It is therefore essential to put in place the structures and training necessary to attract tourists and offer them quality services.
In addition to the creation of this training center, the young residents also took into account other important issues for the tourism development of Aného. Among them, the issue of rising water levels, which threatens the city’s infrastructure and coastal developments. Renovation works and the construction of sea walls have been suggested to preserve the natural beauty of the area while protecting locals and tourists.
Beyond these proposals, the project also made it possible to bring together different stakeholders, who until then had difficulty communicating. The collaboration between the town hall of Aného and a hotel group, Onomo, was facilitated, thus making it possible to establish a constructive dialogue and find solutions adapted to the needs and aspirations of the region.
Togo, aware of the importance of tourism for its economy, has made the development of this sector a priority. With an ambitious target of 1 million visitors by 2021, the country wishes to take advantage of its exceptional cultural and natural heritage. The “I’m committed to Africa” program and the initiatives launched in Aného perfectly illustrate this commitment to sustainable tourism and the development of secondary African cities.
In short, Aného has all the assets to become a popular tourist destination. Thanks to the involvement of young residents and their local partners, the city can now hope for a bright tourism future. All that remains is to make these projects a reality and open the doors of this little-known pearl to the whole world.