BY TEWODROS KASSA
Currently, Addis Ababa is hosting the 36th African Union annual Summit and the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council (Ministerial Session) at the African Union Commission Headquarter, Addis Ababa. Numerous heads of states, diplomats, journalists, members of international organizations, among others are in the city to attend the annual Summit.
Addis Ababa Hotel Owners Association announced that hotels in the metropolis have started receiving participants of the 36th African Union Summit and are ready to build the image of the country through professional service.
Association President Aster Solomon told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the hotels have made the necessary preparations to provide seamless services to guests who are coming to Addis Ababa for the continental Summit.
She noted that a committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued guidelines on how the hotels should treat the guests coming for the Summit. Accordingly, the hotels have completed the necessary arrangements to accommodate guests and render the uninterrupted provision of water, electricity, telecommunication, and other amenities.
“We are working in coordination with the relevant stakeholders including police and other law enforcement agencies; to ensure that the guests staying here are secured and comfortable. The security apparatus assured us that our guests are protected at all times.”
Addis hotels have made the necessary preparations concerning the COVID-19 pandemic precautionary guidelines. Also, short phone numbers have been prepared to quickly inform the concerned parties in case of any problems related to security and emergencies, Aster remarked.
It is to be recalled that Addis Ababa hotels expressed readiness to provide world-class services to the AU guests and vowed to make the latter’s stay memorable. On his part, Ethiopian Skylight Hotel Sells Manager AyehuGesese told The Ethiopian Herald that the hotel, which boasts over 1,000 rooms, is capable of providing world-class services that best fit the needs of high-ranking AU dignitaries.
By the same token, Assistant Director of Sells at Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel, Daniel Gelaw expressed readiness to showcase Hotel’s longstanding experience in the hospitality industry to the AU delegates.
The Ministry of Tourism also recommended a few among countless never missed to visit attractions in Addis Ababa and the surroundings. Therefore, apart from attending the Summit,participants will have the opportunity to discover the capital of Africa, Addis Ababa andwitness that the city is home to all Africans..
The following are some of the major destinations that are situated within a short distance from the capital Addis Ababa and worth visiting. .
Unity Park
Located inside the Grand Menelik II palace, Unity Park embraces different natural and man-made tourist attractions. It also comprises a mix of landscaped open areas, renovated palace buildings and animal enclosures. The restored rooms feature items like Menelik’s sword and a life-size wax replica of former Emperor Haile Selassie.
The Unity Park of Ethiopia has natural, cultural, historical, and heritage tourism attractions all in one place. The unique natural attractions of Unity Park are zoos with 37 mammals, nine types of animals, namely Giraffes, Zebras, Kudu, Impala, Eland, Gemsbok, Nyala, Wildebeest, and White Rhino, thirteen species of aquatic animals, and indigenous various birds in the aviary. The Black Mane Lions, that are found only in Ethiopia; and the traditional Garden with indigenous plants are also the other attractions of Unity Park.Entoto Park
Entoto Natural Park is a park of serenity and resounding joy. It is a unique place to discover the most breathtaking mountain with streams flowing from clear springs and waterfalls. The Park lies on the south-eastern slopes of Entoto Mountain, between the northern limit of the city of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 2,600m, and the track along the mountain ridge at altitude over 3,100 m.
Sheger Park
Friendship Square of the Sheger Park project includes various attractions at the heart of Addis Ababa. It is a preferred destination to stay mesmerized with the beauty of nature and the reflections of humans’ art.
Accordingly, the newly developed boutique parks; Unity, Entoto, and Sheger are the right spot for people who love city parks. The outdoor markets at Merkato and the souvenir shops around the Ethiopian Post Office Headquarter and Shiromeda are ideal places for shopping.
Moreover, Addis Ababa is also an interesting city for nightlife. The Jazz music aroundBole and the cultural restaurants that are dotted across the Bole and Kazanchis areas give a lifetime experience.
As Ethiopia is the origin of coffee, visiting coffee shops around Piazza area is one of the most intriguing incidents that would give long lasting memorable experiences in the city.
What is more, if you are into history and historical landmarks, there are lots of historical important squares that keep significant monuments and icons. Go to the main city center and you will find many astonishing landmarks.
In sum, experts in the tourism sector also recommend the need for coordinated efforts to utilize the country’s conference tourism potentials effectively and motivate the tourism sector practitioners to develop their capacity towards hosting more international tourists.
The 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council (Ministerial Session) which started on February 15, 2023, will be concluded this coming Sunday, after holding the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit (Heads of States and Government session), scheduled to take place on 18 and 19 February 2023.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2023
