Ethiopia is the cradle of humanity, where the first walked on two legs. It is also the source of the Blue Nile, the great river whose power and fertility nurtured the origin of civilization itself. The country is home to ancient civilization dating back more than 3,000 years.
Currently, the nation continues promoting its untapped tourism endowment and potential with the new motto, ‘Ethiopia: Land of Origins’. The country is believed to be the origin of much more. This includes, the origin of humankind; home of the earliest remains of human ancestors ever found – the first being which routinely walked on two feet named ‘Lucy’, the origin or birthplace of the wild coffee plant, ‘Arabica’, the origin of the Blue Nile, longest river of the planet. The attractive and traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony is enjoyed daily by locals and tourists. Ethiopia is also believed to be the depository of the lost Biblical Ark of the Covenant, stored in the securely guarded Chapel of the Tablet next to the St. Mary of Zion Church in ancient Aksum. The Nechisar Nightjar, the elusive endemic to Nech-Sar National Park in southern Ethiopia, is the home to world’s rarest bird species.
Different international tourist service providers that work on promoting tourism destinations worldwide indicated that Ethiopia is among the leading world’s most welcoming countries for tourists. After doing successive assessments through the digital media different travel publishers indicated that the country is a place where tourists have found the most hospitable places around the world. Ethiopia is a nation with lush highland scenery, unique wildlife and majestic rock-hewn churches. Such recommendation with different tourist information providers witnesses how much Ethiopia gains credibility with its hospitable nature by the international community. Ethiopians prioritize the comfort of a guest and have a long-standing culture of respecting a guest.
The following are among the tangible and intangible world heritage sites of the country registered with UNSECO. Aksum, FasilGhebbi Castles, HararJugol the fortified historic town, Konso cultural landscape, Lower valley of the Awash, Lower valley of the Omo as well as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and Tiyaare the cultural tangible heritages registered so far.
Semien Mountains National Park is the predominant natural world heritage of the nation located at the northern tip of the country with meandering topography and comfy climate.
Intangible heritages such as theMeskel festival-founding of the True Cross, Fichee-Chambalaalla-new year festival of the Sidama people and Gada system, an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo which were inscribed in UNSECO witnessed the nation’s richness with ancient civilization. Awash, NechSar, Bale Mountains, Semien Mountains National Parks are the leading tourist destinations in the country. Especially, the Semien Mountain as located in the highland makes it a better destination for hiking with enjoyable and fragrant circumstances surrounded with mountainous flora.
Currently, the government is undertaking diversified new tourist destinations development countrywide. The newly accomplished Entoto, Sheger and Unity Park Projects as well as the planned Gorgora, Wonchi and Koysha tourist sites beautifying projects will significantly contribute to the country’s tourism sector competitiveness by attracting numerous international tourists.
Experts lauded the new destinations development and sought its significant roles to attract numerous local and international tourists and diversify the tourists’ demand to visit Ethiopia (Land of Origins). The projects demonstrate luxurious touristic services and create tangible job opportunities to the youth as well as generate foreign exchange through attracting numerous international tourists to the country. More importantly, the projects will have a great role in image building and marketing the country’s enormous tourism and other sector development potentials.
Accordingly, the nation has set to boost its tourism revenue to cover a tangible share to its GDP and utilize more from its long-standing and huge natural and man-made tourist destinations. Ethiopia is a country with abundant natural and manmade tourist destinations. However, the number of international tourists’ inflow to the country is still below the expected rate. Since the country took the leading position in Africa with the number of ancient cultural and natural heritages registered by UNESCO, sector’s professionals believe that it has to generate more income by attracting a huge number of tourists worldwide.
Moreover, the country is endowed with incredible attractions. Endemic wild animals [Walia Ibex, Red Fox, Chilada Baboon], pleasant climate, welcoming topography, sumptuous air transport [Ethiopian], among others are the real assets of the country that makes it a preferable tourists’ destination in the world.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 20 MAY 2022
