BY TEWODROS KASSA
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism is growing at a phenomenal rate and is one of the key socio-economic drivers worldwide, therefore impacting world development, prosperity and well-being. The tourism sector induces extra job opportunities and more importantly helps improve the structure and balance of the economic activities in a society. In addition, it brings indirect effects from which almost every sector in an economy benefits, and acts as a catalyst in the development of a destination.
Therefore, more attention should be given to the sustainable tourism development and it requires a strong political leadership as well as the active participation of all relevant stakeholders. Everyone agrees with the tourism sector’s bountiful roles in motivating the national economy and creating ample job opportunities for the growing number of youths. It provides socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders involved, implying fair distribution of income, stable employment and earning opportunities. In this regard, the sustainable tourism development serves as a social service to host communities, and contributes to poverty alleviation.
Despite its wide potential in the tourism sector, Ethiopia has been generating lower from the tourism sector in the past years. Numerous bottlenecks are attributed to the lower income from the sector. The poor sector infrastructure, sluggish marketing strategies, unavailability of more educated human power, among others are the top challenges hindering the sector competitiveness with other countries. Currently, the Ethiopian government is undertaking numerous tasks aspiring to motivate the tourism industry as the sector enhances income distribution within a society and poses a catalyst effect on infrastructure development and facilitates overall economic development.
Different researchers proved that the country is a preferable destination for more international tourists. It is advisable for hiking and backpacking, bird watching, photo safaris, visits to diverse tribal villages and communities, wildlife viewing and interpretation, flora and fauna research, among others. However, in recent years new initiatives by the government and private actors are sought to motivate the sector effectively and generate a tangible income from the untapped tourism sector
The construction of a state of the art convention center is among the new initiatives by the private actors in the country. The convention center’s accomplishment in the African capital, unquestionably, will attract more regional and international conferences in Addis Ababa. More importantly, the center’s construction is progressing very well aimed at availing quality services in the tourism sector.
Recently, the Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Center (AAICEC) announced its readiness and capacity of hosting more than 60 international exhibitions annually. Upon completion in 2024, the first phase of construction of the Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Center would enable the country to host over 60 international exhibitions annually.
The Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Project Manager Ayalew Abay told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that a plan is set to execute the first phase construction of the center in the first quarter of the upcoming year. In the first phase, the construction of the center which rested on 12,000 hectares of land is underway. The construction of multipurpose halls is also part of the first phase. The center accommodates over 1,000 participants and includes an open-air theater and other facilities. Meanwhile, the market mall that is also going to be built within the center could serve 10,000 guests at once.
“Not only would it be the largest convention and exhibition center in East Africa, but the center could also serve the nation as a source of income. The construction is being done in accordance with international standards and we will commence the second phase as soon as executing the first one.” The second phase of construction comprises various halls used for cinema, theatre and conference centers, among other purposes. The constructions of a large meeting hall with a capacity of accommodating 3500 participants and another six halls with a capacity of 100 individuals are also part of this phase.
The Project Manager further stated that the center will have five standard exhibition facilities that would play a significant role in improving and catalyzing Ethiopia’s business activities. “Since Addis Ababa is the political capital of Africa, the center will have paramount importance in easing service delivery, improving hotel industry, and transport.” Upon completion, the center, which rested on 27,000 hectares of land, is expected to generate a substantial amount of foreign currency, stimulating the economy, creating and widening business opportunities, and bringing other benefits to Ethiopia, Ayalew remarked.
Moreover, the availability of such facilities will solve the current challenges of the tourism sector development in the targeted level. Tourism puts an economic value on traditional arts, crafts and cultural practices and encourages preservation of historical sites and heritage buildings. And the convention center is being constructed keeping the priority of promoting diversified cultural manifestations of the country. The center could also be a mechanism to showcase the socio-cultural diversity of all Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, conserve their established and living cultural heritage, and traditional values, and significantly contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
In sum, travel companies, hotel companies, and other players along the value chain will have the opportunity to stimulate their income following the completion of this multipurpose convention center. It was learned that the construction of the Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Center was commenced in 2019 aspiring to harness the country’s potential in the sector. Accordingly, the project’s completion will have a significant contribution to the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 26 MAY 2023
