ADDIS ABABA – Tourism actors said the country is revising laws and improving services to boost the smokeless industry’s contribution for national growth.
In an interview with local media, Ministry of Tourism, Strategic Unit Coordinator Tewodros Derbew said that the country is working to improve the tourism sector to play a significant role in expanding business, improving institutional capacity, creating jobs, addressing foreign currency crunch, ensuring competitiveness, among others.
As to him, the Ministry is revising policies and strategies and preparing a new legal framework in a view to realize adequate benefit from the tourism sector sustainably.
Addis Ababa Culture Art and Tourism Bureau, Tourism Sector Deputy Head Haftay Gebregziabher on his part stated that his Bureau is working in close cooperation with Addis Ababa University to ensure quality and sustainable services in the tourism sector.
Melese Worku, who is from the Tourism Institute, suggested the necessity of filling the cooperation gap in the sector as timely and critical to achieve significant outcome in the sphere.
He further stated that his institute provides training on tour guiding, marketing management and hospitality, and food and beverage services.
Hotel and Tourism Expert Solomon Taye on his part said Ethiopia has untapped resources though it is not gaining significant benefit from the sector due to various reasons.
Of the challenges, lack of stakeholders’ integration and poor advertising and information gap are the main serious factors that hindered the development of the sector.
He believed that tourism has become one of the five national economic pillars of the country since the coming of the reformist government.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 29 MARCH 2024
