BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
ADDIS ABABA – The Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau said that it is delivering training and leveraging its natural resources which further strengthens tourism development and stimulates the national economy.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau Deputy Director, Hundie Kebede said that the bureau has been working to harness Oromia’s tourism destinations that make the state better tourist destination.
Wonchi-Dendi ecotourism is one of the projects which are being implemented under the projects of the “Gebeta Lehager” initiative, coordinated efforts are being exerted to convert it into an African tourism destination in a way to tap immense potential of the country in the sector.
Recently, the government of Ethiopia has pledged to offer the whole income generated from the Book entitled “YeMedemer Teweld ” to be sold in Oromia State for the renewal of Sof Omar Caves which is the longest cave not only in Ethiopia but Africa too.
Upon completion, the Wonch-Dendi project would play indispensable role towards attracting more foreign and domestic tourists. However, lack of basic access to infrastructure like transport, water, electric and others have been impacting it.
Affirming that Sof Omar Caves is one of the main tourist destination site, he said adding that it is also an asset not only for Ethiopia but also for Africa. The Bureau has developed an account named ‘Sof Omar development account’ that simply helps collect the money raised from various institutions ranging from zone to city administration that will be used for the completion of the cave.
“Taking the initiative of the government’s bold move towards inclusive tourism development into account, the State is working with a great commitment. Moreover, extensive promotion, resource assessment and development of tourist sites are now being carried out to exploit the tourism potentials.”
He pinpointed that there should be a well-trained and qualified labor force that helps to deliver timely and efficient services. Besides, the Bureau is partnered with the Ministry of Tourism to help low-rated hotels to improve services.
So far, the Oromia Tourism Bureau along with MasterCard Foundation has provided trainings for 2,520 individuals who are employed in hotels, resorts, motels in various towns aiming at increasing the quality of tourist destinations in the state.
For the last four years, the gov’t has been exerting its utmost effort to tourism destinations more than ever. In nine months of 2023 EFY, about 8.8 million domestic and 163,000 foreign tourists visited destinations in Oromia State. Consequently, the bureau secured 8.8 billion Birr and injected to the national economy, the deputy director indicated.
The Ethiopian Herald April 23/2023
