ADDIS ABABA-Tourism companies expressed enthusiasm for improved earnings from Ethiopia’s vast tourism potentials,driven by the rapidly improving infrastructural development.
Urging coordinated efforts to promote the country’s unique attractions, Ethiopia Tourist Guides Association President, Andi Assefa, underlined the need for enhanced hospitality services to attract more tourists.
“The welcoming culture we provide should be reassessed and restructured to deliver better services,” he told local media.
Stopover tourism, especially in Addis Ababa, has significant potential and requires focused development. Incentives for tourists and tourism organizations should be maintained and increased. “If we aim to compete with countries like Egypt and Kenya, we need to offer comparable price ranges for tourism facilities,” he stated.
Celebrity to Ethiopia Company,Founder Ashenfi Kassa, on his part highlighted that Addis Ababa’s diplomatic prominence contributes for tourism development.
“As the world’s third-largest diplomatic hub, Addis Ababa holds huge potential. However, countries with fewer advantages dominate the tourism market, showing the need to do more to attract visitors,” he said.
He called for leveraging the city’s status through encouraged conference and stopover tourism to explore Ethiopia’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
“Visitors for short stays or meetings should be motivated to visit destinations. Hospitality infrastructure like museums and hotels are growing, but we must pair it with improved hospitality culture,” he added.
Both experts stressed the importance of aligning infrastructure development with targeted promotions and service delivery to fully utilize Ethiopia’s tourism potential.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2025
