ADDIS ABABA – Lack of adequate destination information and guideline to domestic and foreign visitors hampering Ethiopia’s potential to reap from the tourism industry, actors in the sector said.
The National Tourism and Hospitality Fair, which is aimed to promote Ethiopia’s tourism potentials, is taking place at the Science Museum.
Approached by the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Kuriftu Resort Marketing Manager Yustena Aschalew said that inadequate information about tourist attraction sites and other related facilities hinder the country from utilizing the sector’s potential. “Despite this, the country’s tourism and hospitality sector is making significant progress.”
According to her, the active involvement of relevant stakeholders in tourism promotion related activities help the country amass substantial benefits out of the industry.
Currently, the state-of-the-art Kuriftu African Village Lodge, which is under construction, and the availability of other star-designated hotels are believed to elevate the service sector.
“Up on completion, the lodge, which is equipped with 54 rooms, would have a paramount importance in representing African dining and other cultures. Besides, it is important to promote Ethiopia’s hospitality sector progress to the rest of the world,” Yustena remarked.
Afar State Culture and Tourism Bureau Heritage Preservation Chief Expert Ahmed Mohammed for his part stated that the state’s noble tourism attraction sites have not been sufficiently promoted. “Although Afar is endowed with Erta Ale and Dallol Depression, it has the lower and limited access to the sector due to lack of promotion. Therefore, it is critical for investors and other actors to strengthen the promotion and development activities in the area.”
The Ethiopian Culture and Tourism Journalists Association member Solomon Girma said journalists that are serving in the sector need to develop the required skill and knowledge to facilitate awareness creation platforms. The fair helps to curb hassles that tourists have been facing in attraction sites.
Commending the exhibition’s outcomes for visitors, a participant Yibeltal Assefa stated that the platform helps to provide information under one roof.
In addition, the event would be a platform to identify areas that would be explored and developed in the future. This kind of exhibition should be expanded to promote more tourist attraction sites to both domestic and international visitors, he added.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
The Ethiopian Herald October 19/2023
