BY TEWODROS KASSA
Ensuring peace, controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, development of new tourist destinations across the country among others enable Ethiopia to become one of the top five tourist destinations in the month of January, 2023. The prominent Gena (Birth of Jesus Christ) and Timket (Baptism of Jesus Christ) festivals said contributed a lot in attracting numerous international tourists year after year. The Ethiopian government is also undertaking various measures towards promoting tourists’ inflow and increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Recently, the National Geography UK names Ethiopia among the five best destinations in January. In its Travel and Adventure category of the New Year publication, the well-known online platform, National Geographic UK, names the Northern Ethiopia’s desolate Danakil Depression as the first place recommended for Tourists.
Ethiopia’s desolate Danakil Depression, according to National Geography UK, is one of the driest, hottest and lowest places on the planet, made up of salt lakes, neon yellow acidic springs, lava lakes and an outsize proportion of Africa’s active volcanoes.
In its selection for the month of January, National Geography UK recommends Ethiopia’s unique landscapes; previously mud-caked roads south to the remote Omo Valley to visit vast wetlands, which is a home to many ethnic tribes. The online platform also added two of Ethiopia’s most important religious festivals on this month’s calendar to be visited by tourists: Ethiopian Christmas and Timket, Orthodox Christian celebrations that take place on January 7, 18 and 19 each year.
The Timket holiday marks the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, and locals across the land submerge themselves in sacred pools.
National Geography UK added that feasts, street parties and processions of pilgrims together with holy events can be witnessed in Gondar, home to a grand 17th-century palace, and spiritual Lalibela, where nearly a dozen mediaeval churches are carved out of volcanic rock.
On the other hand, the Ethiopian Government gives due priority to the tourism sector development. What is more, the restoration of peace in the northern part of the country will have significant contributions to resume the largest number of tourists’ inflow to mark the prominent festivals in January. Thus, the signing of peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and TPLF has contributed more to build tourist’s confidence to come and visit Ethiopia.
Availing standardized infrastructural facilities is also the other precondition to maintain a sustainable local and international tourist’s inflow to the well-known religious and cultural destinations not only in the northern part, but also across the country.
Tourism State Minister Selamawit Dawit told local media that the tourism sector, which suffered due to COVID-19 pandemic and the war, is now recovering and going back to its former state.
According to her, the tourist flow is currently growing rapidly as the government has been working hard by formulating policy and strategy that develop the sector. The resumption of services in the northern part of the country is a big opportunity for the flow of tourists in the areas during the holiday season.
January is a month when Ethiopians wear their colorful cultural clothes and are spiritually uplifted. It is the month when not only citizens but also foreigners are inspired and become ecstatic. The month of January is also an ideal time for vacation and entertainment for tourists who do not have enjoyable environment in their countries.
Recalling that more than a quarter million foreign tourists have visited Ethiopia during the first Ethiopian quarter year, she said there are indications that the tourist flow would likely increase two fold after October. The tourist flow in this season would be at a peak for particularly northern Ethiopia, the State Minister stated.
For tourist destinations in Amhara, Afar and Tigray states where world heritages are found, there is an additional opportunity.
Selamawit further stated that efforts are being made to make the stay of tourists in the country longer, in addition to promoting natural, cultural and historical tourist destinations and developing new sites.
Recalling the highest number of flights in the tourism history of Gondar and the surrounding areas last Ethiopian year, the State Minister said more tourist flow and foreign exchange earnings are expected this year.
Since the end of this Ethiopian month, in addition to public celebrations and events that are attractive to tourists, special package has been arranged to extend tourist stay for Christmas in Lalibela and Ethiopian Epiphany in Gondar.
This allows the visitors not only to participate in public celebrations but also to visit natural and historical attractions in the area and to buy traditional products.
Moreover, the Ethiopian ambassadors based in different countries call upon the Diaspora community to come home, visit Ethiopia and enjoy the spectacular occasions of the dominant religious festivals with the beautiful weather in their country.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the U.S Ambassador Seleshi Bekele said that the Ethiopian Diaspora would have a lot of fun here and the climate is wonderful unlike in the countries they live in this season.
Visits obviously require some level of planning, the Ambassador noted, adding that “if you have the opportunity and could easily travel, however, please come and enjoy at least the Ethiopian Epiphany, which is a highly celebrated event in the country.”
Ambassador Seleshi urged not only the Ethiopian Diaspora to come with their families and celebrate the events, but also foreigners.
On his part, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Canada, Fitsum Arega said that the Timket festival and the other upcoming events in Ethiopia during this season are distinct.
“I, therefore, encourage the Ethiopian Diaspora and friends of Ethiopia and anybody who wishes to visit Ethiopia to come to the country and see the colorful celebrations in this beautiful weather.”
In Ethiopia, you don’t need a heater or cooler any time. With natural condition and the welcoming Ethiopian people, celebrating both Ethiopian Christmas and the special Epiphany program within two weeks is thrilling, he stated.
Ambassador Fitsum noted that there are also new tourist destinations built over the past two years in the country. “Therefore, we specifically encourage the Diaspora to come to Ethiopia, enjoy the weather and the hospitality of the people.”
The Ethiopian herald January 13/2023
