– (Ethiopian tourism in the eyes of British Backpacker Society)
A wide-array of writers, missionaries and merchants, among others, had a sojourn in Ethiopia. Some who paid homage to this cradle of mankind and wonderland had inked their experiences. The Ethiopian Herald had a chance to interview members of the British Backpacker Society.
They had been in Ethiopia some months ago to visit historical sites in the Northern part of the country. Samuel Joynson, is Co-Founder of the British Backpacker Society, whom The Ethiopian Herald had directly interviewed via phone. According to Joynoson, Ethiopia truly abounds in mesmerizing and breathtaking touristic attractions.
The Danakil Depression is a good manifestation in this respect. “The likes of Danakil Depression is found nowhere on the planet earth. That is why, for me, it is a worthy winner of the British Backpacker Society’s leading adventure travel experience for 2019. In the space of just a few days in the region, you can stare into the bubbling heart of an active volcano at Erta’ale, reassess your understanding of the world’s geology in the otherworldly colors of Dallol, and drive across seemingly endless salt-flats in the Danakil’s impossibly desolate interior.
It is not always comfortable, it is not always glamorous, but it is a real adventure from start to finish.” He said, after flying from Addis to Axum (with a 24-hour stopover to visit incredible Lalibella), our team traveled overland to the Djibouti border at Galafi via Debre Damo, Adigrat, Wukro, the Danakil Depression, Semera, Asaita and Lake Gunmare. It was a trip that none of the team will ever forget!” “From the moment that our British Backpacker Society team set foot in Ethiopia, we were in awe at the warmth and hospitality of the Ethiopian people.
Wherever we traveled, we were welcomed with smiles, good humor and big hearts from all whom we met, and it is this experience that will stay with us for longer than any other.” Commenting on the tourism sector of the nation, Johnson also underlined that with a well-designed government policy and effective implementation, international tourism can serve as an engine for economic growth in rural communities across Ethiopia and across Africa.
Unlike many industries, which naturally channel foreign capital to the major cities, international tourism can serve to fuel the development of towns hundreds of miles from Addis such as Axum and Asaita, bringing jobs, investment and crosscultural exchange to regions far from Ethiopia’s traditional economic hubs.
Pertaining to the Tourism Market the Co-founder told Herald that, “I think Ethiopia is packed with some of Africa’s finest tourism assets, and, slowly but surely, the Government of Ethiopia is effectively unlocking the economic potential of the country’s tourism sector.
For instance, I was delighted to see the introduction of the e-visa system in Ethiopia in 2017, and was even more impressed when a British Backpacker Society team first used the system last year – it proved to be quick, easy-to-use and effective, and will serve as a key component in accelerating the growth in international tourism in Ethiopia.” Asked about his recommendation, he said, the government of Ethiopia has made a quantum leap in the development of the country’s smokeless industry, but there is a lot to be desired to get the most of the country’s huge potential.
“In my opinion, the Ethiopian Government should consider expanding the hotel and restaurant sector in the north part of the country, providing international travelers with a wider-range of options than those currently available.” As is the case with many countries in Africa, Ethiopia often attracts comparatively wealthy western travellers, but these travellers often spend fewer tourist dollars per trip than those in Kenya or Tanzania, as the higher-end hotel and restaurant options are not generally available on the main Ethiopian tourist trails, he added.
On New Year’s Eve, The Society has also indicated, the British Backpacker Society announced that a visit to the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia, is the world’s top adventure travel experience for 2019.
There is so much to see and do in the Danakil, but there is also no shortage of world-class adventure travel experiences in the rest of northern Ethiopia. For instance, travellers can visit the highly unusual Debre Damo Monastery, an ancient monastery balanced atop a tabletop mountain in the Tigray state.
To reach the spectacularly located Monastery, travellers must inch themselves up the side of a vertical cliff with the help of a local team and a leather rope, a memorable and unique adventure travel experience. The British Backpacker Society was established to promote adventure tourism in largely off-the-beatentrack areas of the work.
They made headlines last year when they chose Pakistan as their top destination for backpacking and this year have returned with a comprehensive list of 30 incredible experiences that will appeal to only the most adventurous travellers. The top choice is certainly extreme. Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression is one of the hottest and driest places on earth and, at 123 meter below sea level, is also one of the lowest, making it one of the most difficult places on earth for life to flourish. These factors, however, have created a fascinating, otherworldly landscape.
Herald January 20/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
