Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has recently inaugurated Beynouna Village, a state-of-the-art tourist destination located on the scenic shores of Lake Beseka in Oromia state. The village features luxurious bedrooms, a lounge, a cinema hall, a spa, and orchards, all part of the Bounty of Basket initiative.
The newly launched village is part of a number of tourism destinations that have been built and have become operational under Prime Minister’s ‘Dine for Nation’ and other similar initiatives. Tourism Professionals have reflected their views on how such tourism destinations would contribute to the growth of the hospitality industry.
Senior Tourism Professional, Ayalew Sisay(PhD)\, indicated that the government is putting efforts to building and restoring tourism developments to sustain nation’s resources, values and potentials. Initiatives such as Dine for Nation , Dine for Sheger, and Dine for Generation have so far brought basic change in the tourism sector resulting successful projects like Chebera Churchura, Halala Kela, Wenchi and Gorgora projects, he said.
Moreover, he underlined that such tourism potentials would have valuable economic contribution through enhancing foreign currency earnings, creating ample job opportunities while facilitating developments in renewable energy, food processing and other areas.
Similarly, the investment in tourism infrastructures has played immense role in cementing societal ties, as well as promoting national, environmental and holistic growth, he added. It has also allowed existing tourism potential that has not been accessible due to poor infrastructure, to be tracked easily for tourists.
The newly inaugurated tourism destination, which said to be located in a very difficult climate and landscape, would have paramount of importance in increasing the tourism flow in the East Africa. Ayalew quoted the Prime Minister saying ‘Beynouna Village stands as a testament to the belief that “Anything is possible.”
Tourism Training Institute, Deputy Director- General Yetaseb Seyoum on his part highlighted that hotels and restaurants are going to have irregular customer service which could impact nation’s tourist inflow.
“For the nation to benefit from the tourism sector, firm action must be taken to improving hotel industries services at all levels.” To this end, the institute is undertaking several activities to enhance the economic contribution of the sector.
Not only the dressing code, the language and professionalism of waitresses need to be standardized and formal but hotels need to put in place adequate infrastructure and deliver quality services in a way that builds nation’s image and elongate tourists stay, he stressed.
The aforesaid projects have significant role in curbing shortage of tourism destinations while allowing the country to become competitive internationally and increase tourist inflow. Moreover, it would have major economic contribution in the country, Yetaseb said.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024
