BY TSEGAY HAGOS
Ethiopia is one of the nature- and-human-made-tourist attractions endowed nations in the world. It is the cradle of fascinating civilizations— the Axumite civilizations and pre-Axumite kingdom of Damat which are noted among the ancient mighties civilizations. It has plenty of historic, cultural and religious heritages. From those, 11 of them are already registered in UNESCO’s heritage list.
Nowadays, tourism is becoming one of the lucrative means of generating foreign currency in different countries of the world. It is reffered by many as ‘smokeless industry’ to show its significance of supporting the economy without polluting or damaging the environment. Having understood its immense contribution, countries are giving huge attention for its promotion and development. Among the many important mechanisms to promote and strengthen the sector is using modern technology.
Hence, as the role of digital technology is massive in the 21st century people must attain information wherever they are. Thus, supporting the tourism sector with technological facilities would have paramount importance. These days, the tourism sector and technology are interconnected to one another. In the developed world the tourism sector in is bolstered by technology. However, it has a limited role in the third world countries like ours. Realizing this limition, the incumbent and other pertinent stakeholders are playing their part in applying different technologies.
Lions Tourism and Hotel Management College Dean, Zerihun Mekonen tells that hotels, tour and travel organizations and tour guides should have the necessary technological tools and knowledge to serve their customers properly.
‘‘We do have huge tourism potential. But we haven’t the necessary technology which could help us to exploit it. In addition to this, we have lack of digital technology that would promote, develop and preserve our tourism heritages. The tourism industry is still in its traditional stage. This should be changed,’’ he said. Adding: ‘‘Tourism and hotel , like ours, should be equpped with modern facilities to demonstarte things to students and to introduce technology. They should produce skilled and qualified human power that could contribute to the tourism their country.’’
He added that hotel management and tourist handling mechanisms should be backed by digital technology.
‘‘Everything should be digitalized. The numeber of tourists and their stay, tourist destinations and accomodations have to be documented appropriately to assess achievements and limitations of the sector. We have been teaching our students regarding this and they are execrising it after graduation,’’ he underlined.
However, according to Zerihun, As compared to other neigbouring nations Ethiopia is not using enough technology. There are many factors which hinder the technology from further flourishment. Lack of fast internet connection, lack of websites and blogs which could promote tourism and hospitality sector are among the challenges to be noted.
Tour and travel agencies have better knowhow in using technology and this has created ample opportunity for tourists to access tourism destinations easily online. Dagmawi Tarekegn is tour guide in a tour and travel agency which stationed in Addis Ababa. He reflects that websites and blogs have contributed a lot in providing information to domestic and foreign tourists.
‘‘Before the internet revolution, tourists had been providing information from the people who visit certain area. But now thanks to the technological advancement, our customers can know touris sites through reading websites and blogs. This has helped them to identify the destinations and this increases the tourist influx.’’ Tourist could access information using their cellphone applications. They could get information about accomodation, foreign exchange, transport, weather and other issues. Digital technology has contributed a lot in saving tourists’ time, money and energy. It is playing a vital role in transforming the sector.
According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ethiopia has maintained 3.3 billion USD in 2016/17 fiscal year from 886,897 tourists who visisted different parts of the country. The income being generated and the number of tourists have been increasing as compared to previous year’s performance. Besides, the sector has created ample job opportunities for thousands of citizens and contributed a lot in alleviating hard currency constraints.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology has announced last month that a plan to digitally showcase 3,000 extraordinary tourism photos with a view to promoting tourist destinations in the country. Innovation and Technology and Culture and Tourism Ministries have signed MoU to do so, as to Ethioliving.com
According to the bilateral MoU, the photos to be displayed through the devised digital platform are properties owned by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
The new digital platform is also said crucial to help tourism photographers sell their pictures through online mechanism, and enable tourists to order photos online at their disposal as well.
However, since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector has been hugely affected. Many tourist destinations have screeched to a halt. Meanwhile, governmental and non-governmental organizations are working to rehabilitate the tourism sector. With enhancement of digital technology, the sector will be better developed than this. It would create huge impact in trasforming the economy to higher level as well.
The Ethiopian Herald 13 April 2021
