- Records over three million visitors in nine- month
ADDIS ABABA – Sidama State Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau stated that tourists are expected to extend their stay as it is working on boosting the tourism sector.
Having a stay with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), the Bureau Deputy Head, Abebe Marima said that the state was visited by above three million visitors over the last nine months and the number of tourists is on rise from time to time.
Abebe, who is also State tourism department chief, said the state was also welcomed 20, 000 local tourists and foreign tourists and garnered 1.5 billion Birr.
As to him, constructing a number of attractive destinations has been focused on to help tourists extend their stay in the state and let them stay for eight days on average modifying their current stay for three to four days.
He said, “The destinations in the state right now include Hawassa and its environs, Yirgalem city and its environs, religious festival hosting locations, Wondogenet, which has endemic birds and spring water, and it has also two premier league clubs, and a certain tourist destination is being around Geraba, which is located around 90 kilometers away from Hawassa. A number of tourists would come to the state upon completion of this tourist destination, too.”
He said as the federal government has attached due emphasis to road infrastructure, which is the backbone of tourism promotion, it has been constructing two asphalt roads. This would contribute a lot to the rise of tourist inflow to the state.
He further stated that the state this time does have some 16 star rated hotels, and this number will rise when the star hotels under construction are completed. Inviting all Ethiopian and other foreign visitors, he said all will be welcomed following the local treatment culture called ‘Dae Bushu.’
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2024
