BY TEWODROS KASSA
Tourists prefer enjoying their time at unique natural or man-made destinations. And any destination to attract more tourists is expected to be different from other destinations in its formation; and gain fame among the international community.
According to different sources, the Eiffel Tower (Paris, France), The Great Wall of China (China), Statue of Liberty (NYC, USA), Taj Mahal (Agra, India), Roman Coliseum (Rome, Italy), among others are the world’s most popular man-made tourist destinations.
Currently, beyond generating hydroelectric power, numerous largest dams have become potential tourist’s destinations across the world. The artificial dams play a significant role towards changing the livelihoods of the surrounding community to a bright future through becoming a big center of market following generating power. Thus, the construction of such mega power generating dams has a significant socio-economic contribution.
Ethiopia has started the construction of the Abay Hydro Dam years ago and the construction progress has now reached more than 80 percent.
Recently, the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute announced that intensive research is being carried out so as to develop and utilize the tourism potentials of the Dam.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), the Institute Deputy Director Gezahegne Abate said that the Institute is conducting study with the aim to benefit out of the tourism potentials of the Dam that will be created upon its completion.
Accordingly, preliminary researches were underway in a way to exploit the tourism potentials thereby helping the nation benefit out of the sector. Apart from generating power and other benefits, the Abay Hydro Dam will have significant impact in boosting the tourism potentials of the country via offering the country with a range of benefits. Different islands and other tourism sites will be created upon the completion of the Abay Hydro Dam; and those islands will create huge economic potential in tourism sector.
“At the vicinity of the Dam, hotels, water transport corridors, fishing centers and other water transport services will be created. Those things are sources of tourist attraction sites,” he said.
Cooperating with concerning stakeholders, such as Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Labour and Skills and others, the Institute is working to make various areas one of the best tourist destination by providing all necessary services which benefit the project areas in particular and the country in general. Apart from attracting tourists, the area will create ample jobs for citizens. The study consists of different issues ranging from creating jobs and attracting tourists to facilitating conditions for investors and other related issues. The Institute is undertaking preliminary activity to train and provide skilled human resources that serve in areas of resorts, spas, hotels, tour operators and other service providing institutions, he indicated.
Moreover, investors are now showing greater interest towards investing on the islands to be created by Abay Hydro Dam, ENA reported.
Accordingly, investors said that they are keen to engage in the hotel and tourism sector on the artificial lake and islands being created by the Dam. The investors said that the Dam will create a favorable environment for the hospitality industry.
Recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) announced the successful filling of the Dam for the third time; and early power generation of the second turbine. According to him, there would be 70 islands on the artificial lake to be created by the Dam. He further urged businessmen at home and abroad to invest in hotels and resorts in this beautiful area.
The investors said that they would indeed engage in the hotel and tourism sector when the Dam is completed. Belayneh Kende, an Ethiopian investor engaged in diverse sectors said that apart from the energy to be generated, the Dam would help to get huge revenue from the hotel and tourism sector.
The investor revealed that he is interested to take part in the sector once the construction of the Dam is completed.
“I would like to congratulate the people of Ethiopia for the successful completion of the third filling of the Dam. Beyond generating electric power, this mega dam will bring tremendous benefits in fishery development, tourism and other areas,” he underscored.
Reaffirming his commitment and readiness to support the construction of the dam until it is fully completed; the investor urged the public to strengthen their support.
Manager of De Leopol Hotel, Girum Behailu also stated that the completion of the Dam will allow the creation of many islands.
The lakes and the islands will bring good economic opportunities, especially for hotels and tourism industry. De Leopol Hotel group is desirous to invest in this sector in the future.
Mentioning that the construction of the Dam has reached at its final stage and this is a great achievement for Ethiopia and its people, the Manager said that the economic and social benefits the Dam provides are manifold
“I believe that it will bring great opportunity especially for the hotels and tourism sector as there will be islands and a lake. Therefore, hotel and tourism industry actors will have opportunities to investment.”
Accordingly, the huge artificial lake, which could be created after the success of the construction of the Dam, will become one of the largest man-made tourist destinations of Ethiopia; and able to attract numerous local and international tourists.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022
