With the upcoming festival season just around the corner, Ethiopia is preparing to welcome more tourists than ever before. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant festivals showcasing Ethiopian traditions. Currently, preparations are underway towards making the country ensure that international tourists have an unforgettable experience during the upcoming festivals season.
Ethiopia is a unique destination that offers a combination of breathtaking landscape, natural beauty, historical sites, and vibrant cultural experiences. During the festival season, visitors have the opportunity to witness traditional celebrations, colorful parades, and exciting events that showcase the best of Ethiopian culture. From the famous Genna festival, (Ethiopian Christmas) to the mesmerizing Timkat celebrations, (Epiphany) there are various tour experiences to visit Ethiopia during this festive time of year.
Recently, tour operators in Ethiopia are gearing up preparations to warmly welcome tourists for the upcoming festive season, encompassing Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) and Epiphany celebrations.
Representatives and owners of various tour operator companies told local media their dedication to providing outstanding services to visitors eager to immerse themselves in these culturally and religiously rich festivities.
Ethiopian Christians celebrate Christmas, known as “Genna,” on January 7th, commemorating the Birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is marked with vibrant and colorful festivities throughout the country.
Ethiopian Epiphany, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible world heritage, is another significant celebration observed annually on January 19th. This event commemorates the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
The Epiphany celebration is renowned for its captivating outdoor procession and ceremonies that beautifully reflect Ethiopia’s rich religious and cultural traditions.
Ethiopian Tour Operators Association President Fitsum Gezahegne and CEO of Paradise Ethiopia Travel told ENA that tour operators are fully prepared to deliver high-quality services to tourists visiting Ethiopia during the Christmas and Epiphany celebrations.
This year, tour operators have expanded their offerings with a wider range of tour packages, which not only cater to traditional pilgrimage sites such as Gondar, Axum, and Lalibela but also include newer destinations like Hawassa, Wonchi, and Ziway.
This expansion comes in anticipation of a significant increase in tourists’ arrivals during the upcoming holiday season.
Tewodros Solomon, Founder and CEO of Tema Tour, also confirmed his company’s readiness to serve tourists.
He emphasized that the holiday season is a peak period for tourism in Ethiopia and reiterated his company’s commitment to providing exceptional services to both festival attendees and general tourists.
Tewodros highlighted the importance of new tourism projects, such as the “Dine for Ethiopia” initiative, which includes emerging destinations like Wonchi, Gorgora, and Koysha in attracting a greater number of tourists.
He further emphasized that these newly developed tourist destinations boast modern facilities and luxurious accommodations, addressing a significant gap in the Ethiopian tourism market for high-end travelers. He also highlighted that these developments are poised to revolutionize the Ethiopian tourism sector.
In Addis Ababa, the city’s allure has been significantly enhanced by the introduction of several new attractions, including Unity Park, Entoto Park, Friendship Park, the Science Museum, and the National Palace Museum.
These sites, alongside the renowned National Museum, have collectively transformed Addis Ababa into a vibrant hub for both cultural exploration and conference tourism.
Fikadu Mekuria, CEO of Karibu Ethiopia Tours, expressed his eagerness to welcome tourists during the upcoming holiday season. He emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering excellent and professional services to ensure a fulfilling experience for all visitors.
He also emphasized that Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, natural beauty, and the development of new tourist destinations make it a highly attractive destination for international travelers.
On the other hand, Addis Ababa city has been accelerating smart city efforts encompassing expansion of technology and infrastructure, the city administration revealed.
The Innovation and Technology Development Office Head of Addis Ababa City Administration, Solomon Amare emphasized the critical role of fast network speeds in delivering digital services.
To this end, the City Administration is collaborating with Ethio Telecom to deliver high-speed network services, given the capital’s importance as a seat of the African Union and the host of numerous international organizations.
Currently, there is a national push for ‘smart cities’ amongst the leadership to incorporate into the country’s urbanization strategies; particularly Addis Ababa City Administration is working hard to become a smart city hub in Africa.
The Head noted that a key aspect of this transformation is improving the efficiency and digitalization of service delivery among city institutions.
The initiative will be implemented across 58 institutions and 120 districts within the city’s 11 sub-cities, with a total investment exceeding 280 million Birr, Solomon said.
The “City Net” technology aims to modernize systems for tax collection, vital event registration, and complaint submission, significantly improving the city’s service delivery capabilities.
“This collaboration has led to the creation of ‘City Net,’ which connects all government institutions within the city through a unified network infrastructure,” Amare stated.
He added that this initiative represents a significant advancement, enabling effective sharing of data and resources among institutions.
According to him, the ongoing efforts to digitize procedures encourage institutions to render digital services by transitioning from manual to electronic and online services.
For instance, the Investment Office has already implemented such changes, allowing citizens to apply for permits and renewals from home, he said.
In sum, Ethiopia is taking several measures to attract more tourists during the upcoming festival season. The government has been investing in infrastructure improvements, promoting the festivals through marketing campaigns, and working with local communities to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. In addition, the country has been implementing initiatives to enhance the overall tourism experience, such as providing better tourist facilities, improving transportation options, and offering a wider range of cultural activities.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2024
