BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Countries across the globe are working to stimulate the tourism sector by applying various efforts to develop and promote destinations, including engaged in massive promotional works at international level to create awareness for visitors about their tourism potential, to become a preferred tourist destination country thereby to increase tourist inflow.
The same is true in the case of Ethiopia. The country is currently undertaking a number of activities to develop its tourist destinations. In a bid to develop diversified eco-friendly tourist destinations across the country, it is to be recalled that, projects dubbed as “Dine for Sheger and Dine for Nation” were initiated and launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
Through the initiative, the constructions of three projects – Wonchi, Gorgora and Koysha, in Oromia, Amhara and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ (SNNPS) states respectively are underway well. Responding to questions raised by members of the Parliament recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recalled the two projects ‘Dine for Sheger’ and ‘Dine for Nation’ that enabled the country to garner tremendous achievements.
Singing the same tune, a new project known as “Dine for Generation”, that targets to develop eight new tourism sites in different parts of the country will be launched soon, he disclosed. “The 3rd flagship ‘Dine for Generation’ initiative, will be launched at Geralta, in Tigray, Hayk, in Amhara, Jimma, Oromia, as well as Arbaminch, in SNNPS, and in Afar and Somali states, while two other private investments will be launched in Benishangul Gumuz and in South West Region.”
To start the project, five billion Birr has been collected in less than a month. He noted that the projects will greatly stimulate Ethiopia’s tourism activity, enabling citizens to benefit more from the sector. He also urged Ethiopians to support for the success of the projects. The Ethiopian Herald also approached Tourism State Minister Selamawit Dawit to have her say regarding this same issue.
Selamawit noted that the “Dine for Generation initiative” is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and diversify the tourism destinations thereby increasing the number of local and foreign tourists. The projects will create jobs, strengthen the local economy, contribute to local infrastructure development and can also help to conserve the natural environment, cultural assets and traditions of the community, and to reduce poverty and inequality.
According to her, Ethiopia is endowed with a wide variety of tourism potentials which include all-in-one tourism, i.e., historical, religious, cultural, natural, and adventurous destinations. The only missing is the infrastructure; and the initiatives are enabler to developing the rich places as per areas’ historical and ecological background.
She further noted that the Ministry is working belligerently in developing and expanding new tourist destinations along with pertinent stakeholders. Efforts are underway to promote the destinations through various platforms.
Through the ‘Sheger Dine Initiative, Unity Entoto, Friendship parks, the Science, and the National Palace museums are among the new tourism destinations that have become operational; making Addis Ababa a vibrant city where citizens and tourists enjoy and let conference tourism flourishes.
In the earlier days, the tourism package was a single day stay in the city, but it is now extended to 3-4 days due to the increase in the number tourist destinations in the city. “At the 36th Africa Union (AU) Summit, I witnessed participants’ keen interest to visit and add more days to stay here in Addis Ababa because of the efforts made to upsurge the number of tourists staying in the city.”
“Dine for Generation initiative” is a game changer program in many ways. “In my view, it is ideal to work in harmony to develop these destinations for the common good of the country.” It should be well noted that regardless of being home for all these tourist attractions and resources, Ethiopia is not benefitting from its tourism sectors as expected.
In this regard, every fellow citizen should be supportive of the initiatives launched by the Premier and play a vital role in providing the necessary support; be it backing financially or any other form to make sure that the future generations enjoy a peaceful and dignified lifestyle. “Our duty should be developing and promoting these destinations to the local and international community and stimulate the tourism sector, she concluded.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 1 APRIL 2023
