ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a new tourism policy designed to enhance Ethiopia’s position in the global tourism market.
The ministry organized a consultation day yesterday with state and city administration tourism experts to gather input on the draft amendment of the tourism policy.
Tourism State Minister Sileshi Girma stated that the country is actively developing its tourism destinations. He noted that global socio-economic trends and technological advancements are rapidly transforming tourism activities, making it essential to revise the policy. The goal is to modernize the sector and improve the quality of tourism services.
“The current policy, which has been in effect since 2001, is outdated, lacks inclusiveness, and no longer meets the needs of the evolving tourism landscape,” Sileshi explained. “Due to both external and internal factors, and as part of the government’s changing view of tourism as a priority sector, it has become necessary to create a new policy that supports a more inclusive and forward-looking approach.”
He also highlighted that the development of a new policy was in response to both global and national shifts, including the recent inauguration of Ethiopia’s tourism satellite account and the launch of the IGAD sustainable tourism master plan in Addis Ababa. Other factors driving the change include the changing economic structures within the country, the rise of private hotel investments, and the development of new tourism destinations across Ethiopia.
The state minister stressed that tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, driven by advancements in technology. As a result, Ethiopia needs to position itself effectively to capture a larger share of the global tourism market.
The new policy is based on principles of inclusivity, competitiveness, sustainability, and community involvement, with a strong focus on the current global tourism landscape. Key pillars of the updated policy include marketing and promotion, capacity building for the sector, tourism product development, destination management, and stronger collaboration with IGAD’s Blue Economy initiatives.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2024
