ADDIS ABABA-The construction and restoration of hotels, lodges and other infrastructure has been carried out across Tigray tourist attraction sites to revive the sector, the state Culture and Tourism Bureau said.
Bureau’s Qualification Director Yemane Gedlu told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the federal government is carrying out the construction of the Geralta lodge that is expected to play a significant role in the flow of tourists. The construction of the lodge, which is part of the Dine for the Nation Initiative, is well underway.
The director also stated that Geralta has immense tourist attraction potential and being the “best tourism village” whereby the bureau has prepared documentaries, articles, photographs and videos that feature the area and dispatched it to the concerned body. “When Geralta is included in the list of preferred tourist destinations of the world, it would bring immense benefits to Ethiopia apart from its apparent economic outcomes.”
Mentioning Tigray’s previous reliance on the Aksum Oblisiek to attract tourists, Yemane indicated that now the visitors have many alternatives to go to Geralta, Gulomeheda, Ganta Afeshum, Atsbi and Wukro areas to sightseeing.
Likewise, due attention has been given to make the tourists’ experience in Tigray comfortable and memorable and the bureau has made consolidated efforts that would help visitors to extend their stay. Also, the local youth are involved in the colorful and peaceful conduct of holidays and festivals that would encourage domestic visitors to come and take part in the events.
Meanwhile, the director stated that about 3,000 foreign tourists visited various attraction sites of Tigray during the past nine months of the current fiscal year. “Before the war, 2-3 million domestic and 80-90,000 foreign tourists visited Tigray.”
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2024
