Tourism Week potential avenue to showcase Ethiopia’s blessings

 

According to World Tourism Organization, over 1.2 billion people are international tourists of which 13 per cent visit Ethiopia. Having immense cultural, historical, natural and archaeological attractions, Ethiopia has not been benefiting from these blessings. To change the scenario, expansion of tourist infrastructure, improving touristic services and promoting the untapped resources are crucial.

Cognizant of this fact, efforts are underway to make Ethiopia one of the top five African tourist destination countries by 2020. Sector master plan has also been prepared to strategically develop thereby transforming tourism industry with a new national brand, ‘Land of Origins’

In the first year of the GTP II, over 910, 000 tourists visited the country earning 3.4 billion USD, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The celebration of World Tourism Day could be a potential avenue to promote and avail the rich resources with all possible means thereby building the image of the country and generating revenue.

The Day is being celebrated for the 29th time nationally with various programmes for a week as of yesterday.

Briefing journalists in connection with the Day , Minister Eng. Ayisha Mohammed said that Ethiopia has made progress in the sector over the last few years.

The European Council on Tourism and Trade has selected Ethiopia as 2015 world best tourism destination. Eng. Ayisha attributed the success to the viable and participatory tourism sector policy and strategy, the prevalence of peace and stability as well as being hub of international organizations.

Eng. Ayisha said that over the past years tangible works were done regarding the provision of relevant training to produce competent and professional human power which ultimately enhances sector services.

She further said that concerted effort of stakeholders is a must to enhance hospitality and tourism industry. ”Encouraging the participation of stakeholders, professionals, investors and the public in general is key to promote sector development”.

The Minister said infrastructural development, sector facility provision and experience sharing among tourist serving institutions would be focus areas to transform the sector.

Addis Ababa City Administration Culture and Tourism Bureau Head Gebretsadik Hagos said that the nation has established Tourism Transformation Council led by the Prime Minister to transform the tourism industry.

According to him, the sector has the potential to create job opportunities. ” This Ethiopian new year, the city is set to establish and develop the Entoto mountain tourism site”.

The head said hotel standardization made last year enhances the hoteliers to offer world class services and build tour and travel operators capacity is a plus to the tourism sector transformation.

Gebretsadik said the Addis Ababa Museum renovated and fully furnished at a cost of over 12 million Birr will also be inaugurated.

He said the day will be marked with symposium, exhibitions, cultural music and dances of nations and nationalities, a virtual tour to tourist destinations as well as Miss Tourism Beauty and Fashion Contest.

In addition, a panel discussion and presentation of researches on the country’s tourism industry challenges, prospects and public participation will be held. Over 1.2 million city residents, national and international participants are expected to attend the events.

This year’s World Tourism Day is marked with the theme: ‘ Tourism for All- Promoting Universal Accessibility.’

Ethiopia is a leading nation in Africa in registering tangible and intangible heritages, manuscripts and biosphere reserves by UNESCO. As the nation has many tourist heritages, efforts are underway to inscribe many more attractions in the prestigious UNESCO list.