ADDIS ABABA – Hotel development projects in Ethiopia has registered higher percent growth from last year, according to the Addis Ababa City Administration Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Bureau Tourism Supervision Expert Temesgen Mekonnen told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia has more than 76 star hotels across the country, with many other hotels currently under construction. The hotel development in Ethiopia is currently booming especially starting from 2005, he added.
Citing recent research studies, Temesgen noted that one hotel is opened every two month since Ethiopia entered its millennium 11 years ago. In addition to the many branded hotels that are operational, there are many unbranded hotels under construction, according to the Bureau. Government incentives, international confere-nces and NGOs, embassies and aid agencies have all been accredited for fueling the hotel growth in Addis Ababa.
However, given that Ethiopia is the seat of African Union, and also hosts different international conferences, much work remains ahead in relation to elevating the competitiveness of the country’s hotels and conference tourism industry. Previously, there was shortage of educated manpower, and the attention given towards the hotel sector was inadequate.
However, according to Temesgen, currently universities are offering courses related to hotel, with many graduating students joining the industry. And this will have substantial contribution to eliminate the shortage of manpower in the sector, and further strengthen their capacity. “This is important for the development of hotels in the country.”
Temesgen further stated that while Ethiopia’s hotel development is truly impressive, and the sector is achieving remarkable success, it still needs more attention.
Of course, in a bid to encourage hotel and tourism development, the Ethiopian government has been giving various incentives to developers for many years, including tax-free import of building materials and furnishings. However, even if the way that we are going is encouraging, much remains to be done to shore up the sector and make our hotels more competitive than their current level, Temesgen opined.
“While the activity there has been huge, we are now looking to exploit the opportunities outside of Addis Ababa, in secondary cities and tourism centers,” concluded Temesgen.
Herald December 8/2018
BY HAILE DEMEKE
