I spent last weekend in the Bale Mountains National Park, in a top quality lodge newly opened by a British entrepreneur (one of two such lodges in the country). The Park itself is stunningly beautiful and full of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna, including the endangered Ethiopian Wolf (of which we saw several) – Oxford University among others is working hard to save the wolf and ensure it continues to live in a positive relationship with local people. “One Park, Many Worlds” as the official website has it.
The Ethiopian Government’s strategy includes the aspiration “to make Ethiopia one of the best tourist destinations in Africa” and the potential is certainly huge. There are many highly scenic locations here, usually combined with places to stay – but foreign tourists often find the latter inadequate in terms of standards (poor food, accommodation, cleanliness hygiene). They might come once, but they often won’t want to come back.
Globally, tourism accounts for an impressive 11% of global GDP, but in Ethiopia the contribution is less than 5% of GDP. It can be a major contributor to poverty reduction, but only if seen as a serious component of a development strategy and deconflicted from other elements of developmental strategy. And strategic messaging in support is also important. If done well, tourism could overtake coffee in terms of its contribution to Ethiopia’s foreign currency earnings.
Which is why lodges like the one in which I stayed can make a very positive contribution to the Ethiopian economy. It is usually expatriates or Ethiopians who have lived or travelled widely abroad who best understand what foreign tourists look for in terms of standards. So they can attract them here in the first place; and ensure they want to come back again and recommend Ethiopia to their friends. Many tourists will have business interests and could themselves become investors in Ethiopia if their experience is positive.
Great Article Ambassador, I believe we are way behind neighbouring countries like Kenya and Tanzania in terms of tourism. It is important that we work on wildlife preservation and reintegration programs as well as improving the hospitality facilities in the country. We need to build wildlife parks, safeguard indangered wildlife and try to re introduce new species to the wild.
The comments made by HMA Greg Dorey are right”on the button” with underlining on just how great a destination Ethiopia is for tourism. As a country it has more to offer than any other territory in Africa (apart from a beach) but the major problem is the quality of the lodges and hotels outside of Addis and the lack of well trained staff. There are, maybe a dozen lodges, equal to any I have stayed at in other East African countries but generally they are not up to international standards. The Ministry of Culture &Tourism needs to get its act together as does the newly formed Tourist Board otherwise Ethiopia will never catch up with the other destinations on offer to world tourism. Advice in abundance has been given to both organisations but little seems to be happening. If it is, then they should put it in the public domain. For me, in spite of all its failings, Ethiopia is still No1
Our Country is honoured to get people like HMA Greg Dorey ,who sends
Positive images to tourists who would like to visit Ethiopia and its national parks
As the honourable ambassador stated ,The tourism sector should be well developed and get due attention by the government . Tourists need good standard hotels,good means of transportation,easy means of communication and the like to say the least
Thank you HMA Dorey
A good article to show the tourism potential of Ethiopia and points out the standard requirements to attract tourists . In this regard i think the government of Ethiopia should speed up its efforts to realize the objectives set .
Well done to you HMA.