BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
‘Land of Origins’ and ‘Thirteen Months of Sunshine’ are some of the prominent introductions for expressing the tourism attractions in Ethiopia. The country is a hub of natural resources coupled with both tangible and intangible cultural heritages.
According to documents, until 2022, the UNESCO has registered a total of 1,154 world heritage sites from 167 areas. From those heritage sites, 897 of them are cultural heritages, 218 of them are natural heritages. The remaining 39 of the sites are mixed properties.
Ethiopia is one of the very few countries that could register many historical, tangible and intangible heritages under UNESCO. UNESCO has registered nine World Heritages attractions. For this figure, eight of them are cultural sites and the remaining one is a natural conservation site which is the Simien National Park. The park is the home for a number of native and endangered animals including Ethiopian wolf and Gelada baboon. Besides, the nation has registered some of its intangible heritages such as Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany), Meskel, Geda System that includes Irreechaa festival, and Fichee- Chambalalla under UNESCO intangible heritages.
The above mentioned data shows that Ethiopia has the potential to be one of the countries that tourists love to visit. With its incorporated heritages, the country can benefit from tourism income. The Ethiopian government has left no stone unturned and exert its maximum effort to get the best out of the sector. To this end, the government has been working closely with every responsible stakeholder to unlock the tourism potentials from every direction of the country. From every potential of tourism, the government and responsible bodies have been working closely with both internal and external entities.
For Ethiopians, September is a month that is used as a bridge to promote Ethiopians from the rainy season to spring. The people of Ethiopia celebrate numerous holidays and festivals during September. From the Ethiopian New Year, and Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) Irreechaa (Thanks Giving), to the Oromo people; and celebrations of New Year by different nations like Wolayta, Hadiya, Yem among others, Ethiopia celebrates the holidays and festivals in this particular month.
As the month is filled with different celebrations, Ethiopia can take the opportunity to promote its tourism and attract tourists from all corners of the world. The government has been working on registering those public festivals celebrated in September every year. These festivals can be tourist attractions and bring the needed income from the sector. As the Ethiopian festivals are unique to the world, the nation can be a place that tourists visit each month because the nation is blessed with natural resources and marvelous cultural heritages.
In addition, the country has been striving to expand its economic base using its water power. Ethiopia is known as a water tower of Africa due to its water resources. In this regard, the nation is building its biggest dam project on the world longest river, Abay (Blue Nile). Apart from its main purpose of generating power, it was reported that the place will be the new water tourism site in the coming few years. It was also reported that the dam, Abay Dam, will create numerous islands so that the dam will be the ideal place to develop resorts and other tourism facilities.
Lately, Authority for Research and Conservation of the Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) of Ethiopia and the Embassy of France have jointly organized an exhibition dubbed ‘The Historical Archaeology Exhibition’ at Ethiopian National Museum. President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Sahlework Zewdie attended the exhibition. On the occasion, the President said that working together implies a lot can be done in the sector. A textbook example could be the partnership between the Ethiopian Heritage Authority and the Government of France in order to boost archeological development.
It is known that Ethiopia has built strong and peaceful relation with the rest of the world in which France is one of them. As to President Sahlework, the Government of France has been playing its better part and has made its great contribution on archeological research. The government has also opened the France Center for Ethiopian Studies since the establishment of the Department of Ethiopian Heritage.
It is true that Ethiopia is rich in its ancient history and has a track record of archeological researches. The nation possesses a number of untapped tourism resources that need to be studied though not many have been researched, the President disclosed. It was in 1896 when the Government of Ethiopia and the Government of France established the historical and archeological partnership. The time that the relation started shows the two sister countries’ commitment to play their share and develop the sector, the President added.
Further, the President said: “I believe the exhibition, which was opened in connection with the 125th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and France, contains many artifacts that have never been shown to the public. The exhibition also includes the artifacts of most parts of our country.”
By the same token, Director- General of Authority for Research and Conservation of the Cultural Heritage (ARCCH), Abebaw Ayalew (Ass. Prof.) on his part said that the Authority has been conducting historical and archeological researches and studies for the past five decades and more. In this regard, the Government of France has been playing an indispensable role, especially in establishing the Ethiopia- France Archeological Research Center and training Ethiopian citizens.
France Ambassador to Ethiopia Rémi Maréchaux said that the two nations’ historical relationship started dates back to the reign of Emperor Menelik II. The Ambassador also added that the parties’ 125-year of strong partnership in the fields of archeological and historical research. “Among others, France will support the Ethiopian Authority for Research and Conservation of the Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) that is at the forefront of the common ambition,” the Ambassador vowed.
Tourism Minister Nasise Chali has also added that France’s support for Ethiopia’s tourism sector development and in particular in widening the historical and archeological studies is appreciable. “We will extend the necessary support to enhance the Authority’s contribution to the progress of the country,” she said.
Moreover, based on the initiative of Prime Minister of FDRE, Abiy Ahmed (PhD), the nation has been constructing a number of parks that have attracted tourists from all walks of life. The Prime Minster has inaugurated those parks in the capital within short period of time and many more around the country are in the pipeline. Just days before, the Prime Minster inaugurated the first science museum in Ethiopia which opens multiple doors for the nation to go forth in the technology sector. Such facilities can inject positive atmosphere to build nation’s digital economy. Besides, the facility will be an ideal place for tourists to pay a visit.
On his social media account, Prime Minister Abiy shared stated: “As we inaugurate #Ethiopia’s Science Museum, launch a technology exhibition and open the first Pan-African Artificial Intelligence conference today, all are essential for networking, learning and co-creating across the continent, as we all strive to empower Africa through digital transformation.”
To sum up, tourism has become one of the best ways to build a better economy of a nation. The Government of Ethiopia along with responsible actors has been trying to create a favorable environment to the tourism sector and get the best out of it. At this moment, the government has worked with multiple actors to ensure the quality of service delivery.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022
