BY ALEMNESH FEKRESELASSIE
Tourism has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world; and has been widely acknowledged due to its highly rewarding nature of job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and economic growth.
Ethiopia was one of the first African countries which recognized tourism as a sector for economic growth traced back in the 1960s. The country is a home of varied natural, historical, and cultural attractions. Nine tangible, four intangible and five Biosphere inheritances of Ethiopia were registered by UNESCO as world cultural heritages.
Despite the presence of many tourist attractions, the tourism industry is still in infant stage in Ethiopia with barely benefiting due to a number of inter-related challenges. The outbreak of wars, political unrest, draught and famines, and un-favorable economic policy, underdeveloped road and physical infrastructures, weak promotion were, perhaps, among the major factors that hindered the growth of the tourism sector. The industry declined greatly during the Derg Regime covering period 1970s to 1980s. Since the adopted free market economy in 1991, the sector has been showing a recovery. The country hosted 933,345 tourists and earned about USD 3.5 billion in 2017 and these dropped to 849,122 and USD 3.12 billion, respectively in 2018 as reported by the Ethiopia Tourism.
The Ethiopian Government is now showing a strong commitment and willingness to develop the industry through a number of initiatives. In order to increase the tourist inflows, hotels and restaurants, parks and museums and clubs have expanded. Nearly 104 star rated hotels with more than 5,400 bedrooms were made operational and many are in the pipe line. Thanks to H.E. Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahmed for his initiatives and commitment to change the history of the country’s tourism, in building new destinations, increased the share of tourism in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
There has never been such higher level of political commitment in the history of tourism in the country. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy is championing the development and construction of parks in different parts of the country. He began his work on tourism by opening the historic Imperial Palace to the public. The palace “Menelik II or Grand Place” that was the seat of all Ethiopian governments for more than a century, which was previously reserved only for elites.
As for his former apartments undergone to major renovation and renamed “Unity Park” by himself to become accessible the general public. The park is being visited by domestic and foreign tourists especially during weekends. In addition, he took the initiative for successful and effective construction of three world standard parks – Entoto, Unity and Friendship. These tourist destinations in Addis Ababa are hoped to raise the tourist inflows after world and life threatening COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Prime Minister, Dr. Abey initiated three new world-class tourist sites in three regional states of the country. The sites are located in Gorgora in the Amhara Regional State; Wonchi in the Oromia Regional State; and Koysha in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State. These new attractions will solidify Ethiopia’s place as a rising star within global tourism after COVID – 19.
Ethiopian Prime Minster Dr. Abiy is devoted to improve the information-intensive and sensitive industry tourism, through productive use of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT is a new media channel through which the Ethiopia’s natural and man-made tourist attractions, products and services found across the country can effectively be promoted to individual consumers and companies upon rapidly adoption of the three “Ts”: “Travel, Tourism and Technology.”
Partial privatization of Ethio-Telecom is expected upgrade the service quality, broader accessibility and affordability in order to be competitive in the regional and international environments. The use of internet facilities by the tour and tourism agencies will sure respond to the needs of travelers, companies and destinations. Hence, Our Prime Minister is enthusiastic to see the integration of well-crafted ICT solutions in tourism promotion efforts by tourism service providers and public institutions such that the country found at threshold of development profitably rape the myriad benefits of the smokeless tourism industry.
The other works of our Prime Minister is the launching tree plantation program to change ecology and make the environment habitable to the citizens and global visitors of this historical country. Plantation of more than 350 million trees in a day is a world record. This is Green Legacy Initiative of our Prime Minister his plantation endeavors is covering 1,000 places throughout Ethiopia. Below is exemplary work of Dr. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
All the above projects will create local jobs, mobilize the service sector, generate foreign and domestic currency for communities and increase Ethiopia’s share in global tourism. Valuing the efforts exerted to excel the Ethiopian tourism sector, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy was awarded ‘Leader in Tourism’ of 2019 honorary certificate by the World Tourism Forum (WTF).
The new tourist sites are contributing a lot to attract more tourists and generate more currency post COVID-19 times. Forbes ranked Ethiopia first among the top seven countries which have post COVID World potential to become major tourist destinations citing the pristine natural beauty, historic ruins, and fascinating cultural experiences of Ethiopia.
Following the step of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, H.E. Dr. Hirut Kassaw, the Minister of Culture, Tourism nominated for “Women in Africa Tourism 2019 most energetic and passionate African Tourism Award” by the Ghana based Street of Gold Foundation.
2021 World Tourism Day will be celebrated with “‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth” on 27 September in the whole world and in Ethiopia also. On this day, Ethiopia should appreciate Our Prime Minister Dr. Abiy’s efforts; and all responsible nationals should promise to work hard for the elevation of Ethiopian tourism industry as genuine supporters of our Prime Minster and his responsible government officials and employees. Wonderful and inspiring Ethiopia!
The Ethiopian Herald September 26/2021
