The Beninese Agency for Tourism Development in Benin (Benin Tourism) takes the protection of personal data very seriously. This Privacy Policy defines how Benin Tourism collects, processes, and protects information gathered through its website and in the course of its activities. It is based on Article 415 contained in Book Five of the Digital Code of the Republic of Benin relating to the Protection of Personal Data. It also mentions proof of compliance with prior formalities before the Personal Data Protection Authority (APDP).
This policy helps you understand what information we collect and process within our organization, the personal data concerned, the purposes pursued, and the management policy implemented to comply with current legislation regarding personal data protection and privacy in the Republic of Benin.
By providing your personal data to Benin Tourism, you accept the terms of this Privacy Policy and agree to comply with its obligations. This policy may be updated from time to time. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully, as it is binding upon us.
This policy applies to all services offered by Benin Tourism, except for services provided by third parties. Benin Tourism is not responsible for the privacy practices of other companies or websites to which its digital assets may contain links.
2. Prior Formalities
You may contact the Personal Data Protection Authority (APDP) and verify the terms of this policy using the following contact details:
Rue 6.076 “Aïdjèdo, Immeuble El MARZOUK Joël”
01 BP: 04837 Cotonou
+229 21 32 57 88 / 69 55 00 00
3. Data Collected and Collection Methods
Benin Tourism collects several types of personal data, including:
Identification data: surname, first name, gender, date of birth, etc.
Contact information: address, email, telephone numbers, etc.
This data may be collected through various means: when you provide your contact details to Benin Tourism or through the use of our websites.
4. Purpose and Legal Basis for Data Processing
Benin Tourism processes your personal data for the following purposes and legal bases:
Marketing, promotions, and complaint handling: to personalize your experience, send marketing communications tailored to your interests, and respond to your complaints.
Compliance with legal obligations: we comply with applicable laws and regulations, particularly Articles 332 and 333 of the aforementioned Digital Code regarding direct marketing.
No sensitive personal data (such as health information or affiliation with communities, for example) is collected without explicit consent.
5. Data Retention Period
Your personal data is retained for a period not exceeding what is necessary to fulfill the purposes described above. In the absence of a specific legal requirement, data is retained for a maximum period of ten years from your last interaction with Benin Tourism.
6. Data Storage Location and International Transfers
Benin Tourism stores your data in centralized databases hosted in Benin.
7. Data Security
Benin Tourism implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data against loss, destruction, unauthorized access, disclosure, or accidental or unlawful manipulation. These measures include, among others:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Strict access controls to limit access to personal data
- Regular security audits to assess and strengthen system security
8. Your Data Protection Rights
In accordance with the Digital Code of the Republic of Benin, you have the following rights:
- Right of access: you may request access to the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: you may request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
- Right to erasure: you may request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances.
- Right to restriction of processing: you may request that processing of your data be restricted under certain conditions.
- Right to data portability: you may request transfer of your data to another service provider.
- Right to object: you may object to the processing of your data for direct marketing purposes.
You may consult the definition of these rights at the APDP address: https://service.apdp.bj/actualites/mes_droits
To exercise your rights, please contact our Data Controller at: contact@amazone.bj. We undertake to respond to your request as promptly as possible, in accordance with legal obligations.
9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Benin Tourism uses cookies and other similar technologies to improve user experience on its website. A cookie banner is displayed during your first visit to obtain your consent for data processing through these technologies. You may manage your cookie preferences at any time. Cookie retention periods are indicated in the table below.
Necessary
Necessary cookies are essential for the basic functions of the website and it will not function properly without them. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Session | Maintains the active PHP session |
| wordpress_test_cookie (×2) | Session | Verifies the presence of cookies in the browser |
| wordpress_sec_* (×2) | Session | Secures WordPress sessions |
| __Secure-* (security-related) | 51–167 days | Cookies required for Google protections (anti-fraud, security, authentication) |
| __Secure-ENID (security-related) | 535 days | Google fraud detection and protection |
| pctx | 109 days | Technical context for loading Axeptio |
| pcid | 90 days | Browser identifier for Axeptio functionality |
Functional
Functional cookies enable certain features such as sharing website content on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and enabling third-party functionalities.
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| pll_language (×3) | 14 days | Stores language preference |
| wordpress_logged_in_* (×2) | Session | Maintains logged-in user session |
| wp_lang | Session | WordPress administration language |
| wp-settings-1 | 55 days | WP interface display preferences |
| wp-settings-time-1 | 28 days | Time applied to preferences |
| axeptio_all_vendors (×2) | 103–148 days | Complete CMP vendor list |
| axeptio_authorized_vendors (×2) | 32–110 days | Authorized vendor list |
| axeptio_cookies (×2) | 671–689 days | Stores consent preferences |
| pa_privacy | 21 days | Indicates whether the user validated the policy |
| iris-cookie-recently-consulted | 685 days | Saves viewed content |
| messagesUtk | 43 days | Identifies the user for HubSpot chat |
Analytics
Analytics cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on visitor numbers, bounce rate, traffic source, and more.
| Cookie | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| ga_* (×5) | Google Analytics (GA4): traffic, interactions, sessions | 51–67 days |
| GA Smeetz (×3) | Google Analytics used in the Smeetz widget | 29–59 days |
| __hstc | Main HubSpot tracking cookie (visits, sessions) | 92 days |
| hubspotutk | Identifies visitors for HubSpot analytics | 42 days |
| hjSession* | Hotjar session cookie | 166 days |
| hjSessionUser* (×2) | Hotjar user identifier | 138 days |
| didomi_token | Stores preferences for consent reporting | 404 days |
| euconsent-v2 | TCF string (used for partner reporting) | 69 days |
10. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach likely to affect your rights and freedoms, Benin Tourism undertakes to:
- Notify the competent authority immediately upon discovery of the breach.
- Inform affected individuals under the conditions provided by the Digital Code when the breach is likely to result in a high risk to their rights.
11. Complaints
You have the right to file a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Authority:
The complaint may be:
- Submitted at the institution’s headquarters: Rue 6.076, Aïdjèdo, Cotonou
- Sent by email only to: contact@apdp.bj
This is without prejudice to any recourse before a competent court.
12. Changes to the Privacy Policy
This policy may be amended to comply with new laws or in the event of changes to data processing practices. In the event of significant changes, notice will be sent to the email address provided in your contact profile.
13. Contact
For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, you may contact our Data Controller:
Email: contact@amazone.bj
Address: Immeuble SAINTE CECILE, Rue Sylvère Alexandre R.7.15 Parcelle D, lot 163, Quartier Gbèdomidji, Cotonou, Benin