• Tourists request VISA extension
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
ADDIS ABABA-Tourists, who have been satisfied in visiting the wanders of Ethiopia, have drawn-out their VISA for a month to stay and comprehend the natural and historical attractions with which Ethiopia is bedecked.
Emanuel Ediana, 41, originally from Italy, is one of the tourists who visited the natural and historical attractions in Ethiopia. Expressing his satisfaction with the welcoming behavior and hospitality of Ethiopians, he is ambitious to extend his visit to reach out to additional tourist destinations of the country.
Elian Share, 36, a tourist from Switzerland, is also visiting Ethiopia together with Emanuel. She shared his view and elongated the visit as she is inspired by the wanders and splendid scenes of Ethiopia.
Prior to coming to Ethiopia, Elian listened to the commentary of tourists who visited Ethiopia earlier. Indicating that she read about the Kaffa biosphere, as more websites and emails are not properly functional, it is hard to get ample information about Ethiopia. Therefore, travel information or advice should be reachable for tourists, she recommends.
Emanuel further said, “Previously, we had limited information about the historic beauty of Ethiopia and that is why we have extended the visit for a month in a bid to complete the trek.” Pinpointing that the purpose of the visit is comprehending the hidden facet of nature, act as backpackers, we need not book hotels as other tourists do.”
“Concluding our visit, as savoir-faire, we return home and read more about Ethiopia, communicate to a lot of people to better understand the culture and natural and historical beauty of Ethiopia including reserved areas and the biospheres.”
Citing that they spent a few days visiting Bale Mountains National Park, he accentuated that observing the natural beauty, the endemic animals and the marvelous scenery of the park was very exciting and inviting visitors to come again. “Preserving such places from any potential harm should not be left only to some concerned bodies like the government; rather it demands the coordinated effort of all. Otherwise, it will be exposed to a number of threats that lead it to vanish.”
As she hasn’t booked for a tour like regular visitor as well as she did things on her own, Elian prefers to be called “traveller” to “tourist.”
Emmanuel and Elian also said, “We read two books to know more about Ethiopia and acquired crude information before our coming here. We found the Ethiopian people more or less comfortable than what has been ascribed in the books. In some moments “We feel safer than expected”.
The Ethiopian people are more welcoming with smiling faces which could hardly be witnessed across Europe. The hotel and other services with which tourists and visitors provided are good, but a lot remains to be done to make the services much more appealing than the existing one, Emanuel said.
Elian has shared the views of Emmanuel stating that the service given to tourists is fine, but it depends on individual service providers.
“In Langano, for instance, people are laughing at us when we are trying to speak Amharic since the tone, accent and style of speaking we utter make them laugh. I am not saying they are rude, but they are welcoming.”
One can enjoy swimming and observing children engaged in fishing and eating fresh fish. This is spontaneous interaction and the natural scenery of Lake Langano is very wonderful and interesting, as there is a lot of wildlife, I adore the Lake,” Elain said.
“Despite its coldness and our minor sufferings due to the shivering gesture, we prettily enjoyed the kind of adventure there. Temperature variability within the park, hiking and horse riding are some of the activities we love the most.”
As the greenery there is fascinating, we have been traveling 20 km a day so as to observe natural beauty and diversity within Bale National Park. When we go back home, we promise to promote Ethiopia as sincere plot to be visited.
Following the renewal of their VISA, they have planned to visit some attraction areas including Arbaminch, South Omo, Jimma, Bonga and Kaffa and Harar, they said.
The Ethiopian herald January 10/2021
