The government of Senegal will soon put up a new tourist resort that will accommodate nearly 10,000 new beds in the delta of Saloum (Mid-west of the country), approximately 300 km away from Dakar, the capital, PANA learnt Tuesday.
The resort which cover a large area of land will have several hotels, residences, greenries, shops and facilities for other services.
When established, Senegal will be able to host 1.5 million tourists per annum during the period 2012-2015, according to Mr. Ndiouga Sakho, chairman and managing director of the National Company of the Development of the Coastal and Tourist Areas of Senegal (SAPCO).
He said the project would make it possible for the country to diversify its tourist products and create a condusive atmosphere for prospective investors.
Sakho, who was speaking at the presentation of plans for the resort, revealed that the total cost of the project, which would provide jobs for 20,000 people, would be about 38 billion CFA F (US$ 78 million).
“One needs means and tools to set up installations of the site and we invite the state to do like Morocco or Mozambique by injecting public resources to encourage the private players,” he explained.
Senegal, the main tourist destination in West Africa, receives each year, more than 500,000 tourists and the resources generated through tourism are valued at 306 billion CFA F in 2006, which is about 6.8 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), according to official figures.
