Tigray is one of the States endowed with several tourist attractions. Ranging from stunning landscapes to historical, cultural, and religious attractions, the State has a lot to offer to visitors.
The Obelisk of Axum, dating back 1,700 years, the Gheralta Rock, the ancient rock-hewn churches of which some have been built within high caves, like the Abune Yemata Guh and Abreha and Atsbeha, Medhane Alem Adi Kesho churches as well as Yeha Archaeological Site, are some of the attractions that have the power to entice the mind of the soul of visitors.
The Church of Saint Mary of Zion, which houses the sacred Ark of the Covenant and holds special religious importance for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and the Orthodox Christians as a place of pilgrimage as well as the renowned Adwa Mountain where the Fascist Italy forces were beaten by the Ethiopian forces in the late 19th century are the other blessings that make the State a unique place for visitors.
In fact, following the conflict that lasted close to two years, the State’s tourism activity had been weakened and the number of tourists flocking into the area had declined.
However, following the peace agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa, and the works carried out by the government and Tigray State’s Culture and Tourism Bureau to reinvigorate and promote the tourism sector, encouraging results are witnessed.
These days, the number of tourists coming to Tigray and visiting the State’s tourist attractions is increasing significantly.
According to information from the Culture and Tourism Bureau of the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray State, after the unwavering support and effort by the federal government, stakeholders, and the Bureau to revive and promote the State’s tourism sector, the flow of tourists is increasing from time to time.
Because of the effort to stimulate State’s tourism sector, currently over twenty associations that comprise members ranging from 45 to 65 are operating actively.
As Bureau’s Qualification and Evaluation Director Yemane Gedilu told Ethiopian News Agency, the federal government along with the stakeholders and pertinent bodies is discharging its responsibilities to introduce the State’s historical and cultural tourist destinations to revive the sector, attract tourists and generate considerable income.
He also mentioned that the restoration of peace and stability within the State and the reconstruction and service resumption of the Aksum Airport have contributed significantly to increasing the influx of tourists.
Due to the provision of support given by the federal government, in the past six months, starting from January to July 2024 over five thousand international foreign tourists have visited the State’s ancient historical places and other tourist destinations.
In the stated period, tourists visited the most preferred destinations such as the Mountain Chains of Geralta, and historical, cultural, natural, and religious spots located in Aksum, Mekelle, and Temben, he added.
Mentioning that the length of stay of tourists in the destination is crucial to benefit better, he said that a foreign tourist on average stays for five days and spends about 450 USD for transport, food, and the like services.
According to him, aside from the daily expenditures that tourists spend, they are benefiting local communities who are preparing cultural food and those engaging in selling cultural attires, souvenirs, and the like materials.
Equally important, due to the restoration of peace and security in the State, around 200 licensed tour guides have commenced giving services. Moreover, thirty-one qualified hotels are providing standard tourist services, he added.
“Especially, hotels located around Mekelle and Woquro towns are engaged in providing services to tourists as the influx of tourists in these areas is growing than ever before.”
The revival of the tourism industry in Tigray has also helped twenty private tour operators with 45 to 65 members each engaged in providing services.
Aksum Tour Guider Coordinator Solomon Gebretsadik for his part noted that because historical sites are opened and the Aksum Airport has resumed its services, the number of tourists is growing from time to time.
This in turn is helping the local community and the youth residing around Axum Town to engage in income-generating activities by promoting the area’s untapped tourist potential.
The other beneficiary from the flow of tourists, Gebremedhin Tesfay said, “Because of the emphasis given to State’s tourism resource by the government, stakeholders and concerned bodies, the number of local and international tourists coming to visit the historical and cultural places is increasing. Consequently, we are benefiting meaningfully from the sector.”
It is to be recalled that Tourism State Minister Sileshi Girma and the President of the Interim Administration of Tigray State Getachew Reda launched Tigray State’s tourism stimulation initiative late in December 2024.
Everyone knows tourism is a vital component of the global economy, generating trillions of dollars in economic activity each year. It is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries, with far-reaching impacts across many sectors.
For instance, its economic impact is tremendous in many ways. Reports coming out from countries put the tourism industry as a major driver of economic growth. Because of its direct impacts, it could help to generate jobs in accommodations, transportation, food service, recreation, and other travel-related sectors. It also has significant indirect economic impacts, stimulating business in supporting industries like construction, retail, and manufacturing. Tourists spend money at local businesses, which helps create jobs and income in the communities they visit.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism industry accounted for over 9 trillion USD in global economic activity and 330 million jobs worldwide in 2022. In many countries, tourism is one of the largest contributors to GDP. It is especially important for developing economies, where it can be a major source of foreign investment and tax revenue.
Experts in the field of tourism agree that effectively stimulating tourism requires a comprehensive approach that involves collaboration between the public and private sectors, strategic planning, investment in infrastructure and marketing, and a focus on sustainability and community engagement.
BY MENGESTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 26 JULY 2024
