Ethiopia is endowed with various tourism resources. Among others cultural ceremonies, religious sites, monuments, caves and eco- tourism and mountains can be mentioned.
But due to the underdevelopment of infrastructure, the role of the sector in supporting the nation’s economy is negligible.
Cognizant of the value of tourism to the nation’s economy, the government is trying its level best to improve the sector.
This year’s Meskel holiday which attracted many tourists from all over the world did ripple nationwide. This journalist had got a chance to talk to Ezra Hailamariam, Senior Public Relation Expert of Tourism Ethiopia.
As to him, the Meskel holiday is often celebrated warmly in the country particularly in the Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples State. The holiday brings opportunities for public gatherings. It brings together relatives to attend the festive, perform traditional dances and music. Currently the Meskel Holiday is registered as world intangible heritage by the United Nations Education and Culture Organization (UNESCO). Hence, it has become a cultural asset for mankind.
In fact, the holiday is celebrated in other countries but in Ethiopia it is celebrated in a most colorful manner.
As to Ezra, currently though there are infrastructural gaps in most tourism sites, Tourism Ethiopia is engaged in developing infrastructures in collaboration with various stakeholders to make the sites accessible to visitors.
To expand tourism sites the government invests money, time and man power. The newly inaugurated friendship, unity and Entoto parks can be cited here. The undergoing projects in the Koysha resort located in Dawro zone in the Southern Nations Nationalities Region, the Wonchi lake resort located in the weastern Shewa of Oromiya State and the Gorgora resort located at the bank of Lake Tana near Gonder town in Amhara State indicates the government’s commitment in boosting the sector.
In addition, it supports the sector through provision of budget, material and manpower.
Moreover, introducing new structure is underway which enhances the sector’s reform. The assignment of the former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn as board chairman of Tourism Ethiopia can take the organization to a higher level. To create job opportunities to citizens Tourism Ethiopia works hand in glove with the Job Opportunities Creating Commission.
Bogale Abi is the General Manager of Dynasty Ethiopia Tour. Currently, his organization is engaged in introducing and discovering new tourist destinations.
As to him, due to the outbreak of war in the northern part of Ethiopia, tourists have fought shy from going there. Hence, in order to save the industry from collapse his organization is busy in introducing and promoting tourist sites in other parts of the country too.
In fact, the number of tourists coming from abroad is on the decline. But to keep on the industry’s business Dynasty Ethiopia Tour in collaboration with partners is introducing tourist sites to thousands of foreign Diplomats and foreigners working in the international organizations residing in Addis Ababa. Among the sites, in the nearby areas of the capital, are found Northern and Western Shewa, Eastern Amhara State and in the Southern Nations and Nationalities State.
The tour conducts biking, hacking and walking. Recently, it began rafting with boats in the Omo river, which is the feeder of Ghibe river. It also promotes cultural events such as the Meskel holiday.
According to Bogale, despite the presence of infrastructural deficiency his organization is trying its level best to access some tourist sites and inform government officials at the Wereda level to look for infrastructural development.
In the areas where there is road the organization uses vehicles. And in the place where there is no access to roads it uses trekking or riding animals such as horse and mules.
Before it prepares tour, it identifies the places’ attractiveness for tourism on maps and studies the geographical, climate and cultural aspect of the society residing in the areas. Then after the tour operation will take place.
When it started its tour operation last November Dynast Ethiopia Tour took 73 tourists to the areas located between the Afar and the Northern Shewa to visit the tourist sites located there. The forest area locally known as “Wofe washa” was also visited by the tourists.
Next to that, it took 63 tourists to the Abuna Zena Markos monastery located in the “Insaro” woreda located in the northern Shewa area. The tour lasted for five days. Tourists lodge in camps where they sleep in tents.
At the beginning, resident of the locality developed bad attitudes toward the whites and acted as if they came there to change the societies’ culture and religion and impose their own. Some also resorted to burning their tents but through negotiation with the elders and religious leaders, residents of the locality refrained from such actions.
The visitors highly appreciated the geographical landscape of the areas and named it as “Grand Canon of Ethiopia”. If infrastructures and lodges are built it will be a best tourist destiny.
Dynasty Ethiopia Tour operator lobbied the community to show positive attitude towards visitors by promising that with the cooperation of government offices they want to build infrastructures, stretch electric power and install water pipe lines. They also told them that the community residing in the nearby tourist sites in the northern Ethiopia could benefit from the expansion of tourism.
On another occasion, the organization did take 54 visitors to the Guraghe zones tourism sites. But in the rainy season they were unable to reach some sites due to the absence of bridges. Flood also damaged roads.
It also took tourists to the place known as “Chebera chuchura” park located in the Southern Nation Nationalities Region. In addition, it went with tourists to the Dandi lake located in the western Shewa.
As to Bogale, the tourists’ interest to visit tourist sites is increasing and they provided positive feedback to tour operators.
Asked whether the community benefits from the tourism, Bogale said that, currently there is no modality to directly support the community. If there were parks, Museums and churches and mosques with fixed entrance fee, it would have been possible to benefit the community.
However, currently the community benefits from the sector indirectly. The sector creates temporary job in catering food, guarding camps and engaging in daily laborer. Tour organizations also purchase the community products such as goats. Others also rent their horses for tour. Hotels also indirectly benefit from the sector. But in the future, there is an intention to establish the community-based tourism. The operation will be carried out by the community themselves. Meanwhile, as a philanthropic venture,Dynasty Ethiopia Tour had donated finance to schools and other institutions subject to lack of office materials.
BY ABEBE WOLDE GIORGIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD OCTOBER 8/2021
