Ethiopia has accomplished a remarkable achievement in the 2022/23 budget year regarding developing the tourism sector. Various new tourist destinations have been developed and inaugurated during the budget year. The Halala Kela project was among the top tourist destinations that gained momentum by attracting numerous local and international tourists.
The devolvement of new tourist destinations development has witnessed a significant contribution to the growing number of international tourists arriving in the country. Such destinations also embrace the state of––art services and are built to enjoy the beauty of nature. For instance, the Gorgora, Halala Kela, and Wonchi tourism projects are preferable due to their integration with nature. Those who prefer to enjoy nature will have a better opportunity to make their stay memorable by observing the adorable lake, dense forest, and wildlife.
Recently, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) disclosed that more than 900,000 international tourists came to Ethiopia last fiscal year to visit the country’s world-famous attraction sites and for commercial and conference purposes. In addition, the ministry takes bold steps to revive the war-impacted tourism industry by undertaking various initiatives.
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), State Ministry Seleshi Girma, told the Ethiopia Press Agency (EPA) that international tourists had the lion’s share in generating two billion USD from the sector’s total performance of over three billion USD in the reported period.
The Ministry has been executing various activities to revive the war-impacted tourism industry in particular developing tourist attraction sites and establishing tourism information centers and executing landmark developments. For instance, we have finalized the establishment of landmark development in Dire-Dawa and Harar to promote tourist attractions as well as building a washroom facility in Lalibella.”\
“Reviving the tourism business in the war-impacted areas remains our priority and we have been working aggressively to encourage tourists to come and visit attraction sites in the areas. We are also convincing local and international tourists to take part in the coming festivals and holidays including Ashenda, Shadey, Solele and others that will take place in war-torn areas,” he remarked.
The state minister further noted that in the stated period, over 20 million local tourists took part in conferences and related tourism activities. The Ministry has undertaken various measures to improve service delivery and tourist destination and infrastructure development. Likewise, each tourist stayed an average of 16 days and spent close to 234 USD daily.
Accordingly, consolidated activities are underway to reopen service-providing institutions especially hotels and restaurants quickly in Amhara, Afar and Tigray states. Moreover, the Ministry is aggressively working to construct lodges, digital centres, landmarks, and basic tourism sector infrastructure in areas of tourist attractions.
The Ministry is also partnered with Diaspora Ethiopians and the private sector to reimage the country and it has been partaking in business-to-business and trade fair activities. Also, the Ministry has done the ranking of hotels that are believed to contribute to improving quality in the hospitality industry.
By the same token, regional states also announced significant progress in attracting international tourists. In this regard, Gondar is among the top tourist destinations in the country. The town gained international acclaim for being the centre of an ancient civilization that embraces age-old castles that are registered under the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Gondar City Administration Culture and Tourism Department Heritage Protection and Tourism Development revealed that the city has secured over 1.35 million Birr from tourism revenues during the just concluded year.
Department Team Leader, Ayechew Adissu, told The Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that over 81,000 domestic and foreign tourists visited the city and the number of tourist inflow is gradually increasing. Of the total tourists, some 2,430 hailed from abroad. The domestic and foreign tourist influx has increased by 50 % and tripled respectively. Over 70,000 Diaspora communities participated in various activities in the city during the just-ended fiscal year.
Various activities such as developing and modernizing the tourist attraction sites to extend tourists’ stay in the city, developing entrainment centres, Amphitheatre, tourists relaxing areas and the like were constructed.
Meanwhile, the Southwest Ethiopia People’s State announced that the Halala Kela Resort and Recreation Center has received over 20,000 domestic tourists since it started operation last May. This tourist inflow is promising progress as the tourist destination was finalized and inaugurated in recent months.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald newspaper, Southwest Ethiopia People’s State, Dawro Zone Culture, Tourism and Sports Department Head, Getahun Girma said that every day hundreds of domestic tourists visit HalalaKela, which is part of the ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ initiative.
From its inauguration up to mid-July, it attracts over 20,000 domestic visitors; he said adding that as the resort is endowed with diverse natural resources, it is becoming a preferable destination for a range of events and many tourists.
Following the inauguration of Halala Kela, which is the component of the Koysha project, he remarked that the number of tourists coming to the area and job opportunities for many citizens is on the rise.
He said, “In addition to the resort, there are also opportunities to further promote 30 man-made and natural tourist destinations in the area. Visitors who are on the way to the resort are also visiting various places in the zone.”
He indicated that to date the tourism sector is growing in Chebera Churchura National Park, the Palace of the Kings, Parks in Dauro Zone and Konta, waterfalls, hot springs in various places and religious places that contain many relics built in the 18th century.
“Currently, we have been undertaking various activities to help develop tourist destination sites from Halala Kela to Chebera Churchra National Park.”
Concerning developing other tourist attractions and passing them to the next generation, he called on interested investors to come to the area and engage in the sector.
Mentioning the efforts being undertaken by the community to improve the infrastructure towards the destinations, he said that a lot needs to be done to restore the road washed out at the time of heavy rain.
He emphasized that they are working hand in hand with the federal and regional governments to curb the challenges related to the lack of basic infrastructure that is challenging visitors who are coming to the areas.
As the zone is peaceful and endowed with many natural resources, he called on investors who are engaged in tourism and related fields to develop the area.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 11 AUGUST 2023
