Addis Ababa, being the third largest diplomatic hub next to New York and Geneva, has now gained momentum through attracting the attention of international tourists. Numerous tourists’ witness that the city is beyond imagination and preferable leisure tourism destination following its comfy climate, most hospitable people, breathtaking topography, diversified cultural assets, among others.
Thus, the city has enormous potential and if utilized properly can yield considerable benefits. What is more, the tourism sector income will have a significant contribution to magnify its smokeless industry through undertaking more luxurious and standardized hotels, lodges, and other touristic service providers.
Currently, the Ethiopian government is developing new tourist destinations throughout the country. Regarding this, the newly accomplished tourist destinations in the capital such as Sheger Park, Unity Park, Entoto Park, among others, contributed a lot in changing the view of the city. Tourism State Minister Sileshi Girma (PhD) said that Addis Ababa is becoming more preferable for international tourists following the availability of tourist destinations and museums that represent the little Ethiopia.
As to him, there are more assignments left ahead to harness the full tourism potentials of the capital. Addis Ababa is blessed with various cultural, historical and archaeological artifacts collection that are both tangible and intangible. The city embraces numerous museums that serve as a mosaic of ancient historical and cultural achievements of the society that shares together. Thus, museums represent everyone and should fulfill this criterion to become a museum of all and attract more international and local tourists.
“Museums play significant roles in promoting the socio-economic lives of the society. However, more assignments are still left ahead to harness the touristic values of museums,” he noted. Therefore, the society should have more awareness about the importance of museums for social and economic progress of a given country as a general and citizens in a specific way.
As to him, the society should be more cooperative in bringing heritages to museums and support the efforts of heritage conservation mutually. In other countries, the public contribute to museums development for tourism through providing ancient heritages to the nearby museums and enable heritages to be conserved well. Equally important, they should cultivate the habit of visiting museums and contribute their part in the efforts of tourism sector development as the city aspires to boost infrastructural networks and avail best facilities for tourists.
Accordingly, museums not only serve as a source of entertainment but make people aware of different cultures and promote unity. Addis Ababa City Administration Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau Head Hirut Kassaw (PhD) on her part said that the City Administration embraces various museums including the Addis Ababa Museum that was established in 1979. The Bureau is working to realize its objectives of making Addis Ababa to become the leading tourist destinations in Africa by 2030.
As to her, the Addis Ababa Museum is working to collect more cultural, historical, and diversified manifestations of the city residents from all corners of the country. Thus, her Bureau is undertaking successive researches on heritages, heritage collection, and effective conservation works of heritages. The Bureau is striving to increase the items of cultural and historical products being embraced inside the museum. The Addis Ababa Museum is open for local and international visitors seven days a week.
Moreover, the Bureau is undertaking effectively its works of age-old heritage conservation activities through renovating various movable and immovable heritages that are found in different parts of the city. It renovated various theatres including the prominent Hager Fikir Theatre, cinemas, statues, heritage centers, ancient homes, among others, she said.
Recently, presenting her administration’s annual performance report before members of the Addis Ababa Council, Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie said that Addis Ababa has become the preferred destination for foreign tourists.
As to her, the city generated more than 39 billion Birr in 11 months of the just-concluded fiscal year. In the reported period, over 622,000 foreign tourists have visited the capital. Addis Ababa’s enduring peace, its status as the seat of the African Union, UNECA and other international, continental and regional organizations are factors for the large flow of foreign tourists.
Also, the massive development of parks and other man-made attraction sites contribute to Addis Ababa’s emergence as a preferred destination for leisure and conference tourists. “We will work tirelessly to make Addis Africa’s hub of international tourists.”
The Mayor further noted that in the just-concluded fiscal year, 11,307 human-centered projects were out with an outlay of 60 billion Birr. Among these projects, 5256 have been completed. While elucidating concerning the performance of the existing mega projects, Adwa Museum has reached 86% of completion meanwhile the construction of Transport Bureau institutions and Akaki International Stadium is 61.5 and 80 percent respectively.
“Consolidated efforts have been carried out to ensure the society’s economic, political and social benefits. Due attention has been given to change the livelihoods of Addis’ residents, in particular people in the low-income households.” Moreover, numerous job opportunities have been created to the youths and women in the city following the successful accomplishment of tourism mega projects such as the Entoto, Sheger, and Unity parks.
Accordingly, the participation of well-trained youths in the tourism sector also contributes considerably to meeting tourists’ satisfaction during their stay in the city through accessing quality services throughout their ways.
Currently, the government is doing its level best regarding identifying gaps and carries out major interventions in the development of tourism infrastructure. Destination marketing is also the other priority of the Ministry of Tourism and other concerned bodies so as to best showcase the country’s and the city’s untapped tourism potentials.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 21 JULY 2023
