ADDIS ABABA – Preparations are underway to celebrate the 40th international and the 32nd national tourism day to be held on September 27, 2019 in Dire Dawa with the theme: “Tourism for job creation and better life,” according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) and Dire Dawa Culture and Tourism Bureau.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Head of Culture and Tourism Bureau Murad Bedewi said though tourism is vital to promote tourist destinations, the city of Dire Dawa is ready to welcome guests from each corner of the country and across the globe to celebrate the day colorfully.
Apart from promoting tourist destinations, the festival is also significant for sharing experiences among the various nations, and fostering awareness among the society, he noted.
According to the Bureau Head, in collaboration with the Ministry and Bureau, the city administration has prepared different events to celebrate the festival that would last for four consecutive days from September 28 to October 01, 2019.
Thus, photo exhibition, camel race, tours on historical places in the city, panel discussions and cultural food festivals are among the events to be conducted in the ceremony; especially the camel race will be organized in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he noted.
Acting Head for Domestic Tourism Expansion Department under the Ministry Tewodros Habtamu told The Ethiopian Herald that each regional state and city administrations should use this opportunity to promote their cultural values and exchange different experiences between and among themselves.
According to Tewodros, the festival has paramount importance for increasing the number of domestic and international tourists. Since tourism has crucial role in promoting destinations and increasing nation’s income generating options, it is important to commemorate the day every year across the globe, particularly for Ethiopia which is the land of origins, he added.
To celebrate the festival colorfully, different events have been prepared that can directly promote the cultural values of Ethiopia, he noted.
The Ethiopian Herald September 21/2019
BY HIZKEL HAILU
