The tourism sector is the worst hit of all economic sectors by the current pandemic, COVID-19, said UN World Tourism Organization stressing up-to-date and reliable information as more important than any other time.
It also called for strong collaboration with the WHO and implementation the guidelines advised by the organization and make sure that prevention measures are implemented in ways that minimize unnecessary impact and help recover international travel and trade activities.
Ethiopia also applying new national tourism recovery plan which is projected to help revive the sector quickly as COVID-19 status goes down, according to Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The plan jointly prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Tourism Ethiopia, Hoteliers and Tour Operators Associations, was ratified by a national committee established for this purpose. And, it was tabled for discussion with state culture and tourism bureaus last month.
Endegena Desalegn is Acting Communications Director at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the plan, which come into effect lately, ranges from marketing to advertising tourist spots while abiding by the motto: ‘By staying home today, we can travel tomorrow’.
The plan attached significance accord to hotels, travel agents and other frontline players of the sector and has been well accepted by stakeholder, he said.
But, experts said that the plan’s implementation needs more concrete procedures.
Kumneger Teketel, Ozzie Business and Hospitality Group Founder and Managing Director, told The Ethiopian Herald that the government should pay more attention as the worst is yet to come.
As COVD-19 hits the global tourism sector, procedures are being changed. And the government should consider that all procedures of travel pass through tight technological procedures.
And permanent technological practices which help to keep tourists safety and sustainability of tourist flow should be done redressed by the plan, he noted.
Talking on financial issues, he said while the government recommends financial sectors to provide interest free loans, the majority of business that depends on tourism based activities are still challenged by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the cancelation of interest for tourism based business should not come as a great success, he argued. But the plan should be focusing on supporting [individuals participating on grass root level (beyond the permanent employees)], he said.
Kumneger in his part stressed that re-advertising destinations within local or some international media may not produce significant results. But he added, there should be active engagement with media outlets as well as travel companies.
“The government should not be a dark shooter. All needed is strategic procedures,” he said.
Kalleab Belachew, Tourism Development Expert, also told The Ethiopian Herald that tourism based activities have come to halt by the pandemic which requires swift measure to lessen the impacts.
To him, options for the recovery of the sector have not been exhaustively exploited. Renovation of heritages, researches, pertinent advertisements to remember destinations, and so many of techniques should be applied as the government planned for quick recovery.
“Of course, major tourism activities have stopped because of the pandemic. Consequently, the government should reconsider its strategies,” he said.
“Renovating and beautifying destinations can be done at this time and will also help keep jobs as well”.
On the other side, Hotels also should come up with innovative approaches to survive this challenging time by enhancing customers’ confidence for safety, he added.
The Ethiopian Herald May 15/2020
BY YESUF ENDRIS
