Lack of infrastructural facilities and other standardized touristic services around the Tis Esat or Blue Fall is hamstringing the much-sought-after touristic spots’ potential of attracting more international tourists.Residents of the locality and its environs so told The Ethiopian Herald.
Poor road infrastructure, dearth of star hotels and lodges, limited tour guide activities, among others, are attributable to the lower number of tourists’ arrival in to the tourists’ paradise.
Tis Esat Tourist Center Information and Supervision Officer Tesfa Asmere told The Ethiopian Herald that due to the lack of luxurious hotels and lodges in Tis Abay town, tourists are required to trek 30 km from (into) Bahir Dar to the awe-inspiring Tis Esat The same holds true for the return trip. For want of standard touristic services in the area, the government and the community are not benefiting as expected from the Tis Esat’s tourism blessings, he added.
As to him, local and multinational investors prefer investing in the larger cities rather than investing in tourist destinations.Investing in tourist destinations should be encouraged so as to ensure the availability of world class hotels, lodges and tour guiding services sustainably, he stressed.
The active engagement of hoteliers, government officials, professionals and pertinent stakeholders is important in a bid to bring into play looked-forward touristic infrastructures, he said.
This budget year [July 2018- January 2019] more than 14,388 domestic tourists and 12,784 international tourists had so far visited the Tis Esat Fall on the Blue Nile. More than one million Birr is earned from entrance and other service rental fees, according to him.
“Twenty two boat transport service associations, 25 licensed community tour guides, students and other segments of the society are benefiting from providing various tourist services.”
For her part, Tis Esat resident Deribie Chanie said that plus to 50 tourists visits the area per day. We sell Ethiopian cultural dishes and drinks, cloths, decorations and artifacts from which we generate more, she added.
She stressed that the blessing of Tis Esat Fall is beyond its yearlong flowing water, adding that, as one of the jewels in the country’s tourists’ attraction, it needs to have full access to infrastructure.
Another resident Mulu Yihunie said that the government should prioritize infrastructural and other tourist service development facilities in the area. Tourists coming from all walks of life admire the impressive Tis Esat , she added.
According to her, besides feasting their eyes on the Tis Esat on the Blue Nile, tourists will stand the chance of trekking around the highlands of Tis Esat Fall.
The Ethiopian Herald, Sunday Edition, June 2/2019
BY TEWODROS KASSA
