ADDIS ABABA–Experts in the tourism sector are urging a comprehensive policy overhaul to strengthen Ethiopia’s global competitiveness, create more jobs, and improve the country’s international image.
Yezihalem Sisay, PhD, Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Tourism, told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that updating the tourism policy is vital to align with ongoing economic reforms, development strategies, and the evolving nature of the sector. He emphasized that the revision is key to improving hospitality quality, embracing digital technology, and restructuring the tourism industry to meet modern demands.
Yezihalem further explained that the policy should promote integrated tourism, as there remain significant gaps in hospitality standardization, skilled workforce development, tourism infrastructure, and other related areas. He also highlighted the importance of addressing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, economic volatility, and geopolitical factors, which further underscore the need for an updated policy.
The Tourism Training Institute Deputy Director General, Yetaseb Seyoum, added that recent significant changes in both local and global tourism dynamics make policy revision both timely and essential. He stressed that an updated policy would help improve hospitality quality and promote sector development.
Yetaseb further noted that, historically, the tourism sector was closely tied to other industries and not operated independently. He emphasized that the revised policy is a crucial step toward establishing tourism as an autonomous business sector.
Previously, tourism was heavily reliant on the social sector, but with Ethiopia’s transition from an agriculture-based economy to a multi-sector one, tourism has emerged as a key driver of economic growth. This shift has been a major factor motivating the call for a revised tourism policy.
The updated tourism policy will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, improve hospitality standards, and leverage tools like virtual reality (VR), reflecting global trends in the sector. As visitors’ needs continue to evolve, the revised policy emphasizes safety, nutrition, and overall comfort, with a strong focus on quality, he remarked.
These changes are expected to enhance Ethiopia’s global competitiveness and elevate the country’s hospitality sector in the years ahead.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
The Ethiopian Herald December 1/2024
