May 25 , 2024
As the government propels towards a tourism-led economy, infrastructure development to destinations and a system to track the sector's contribution to GDP were identified as points of improvement, during a nine-month report by the Ministry of Tourism. The Standing Committee on Tourism & Trade, chaired by Asha Yahya, raised inquiries while State Minister Selsehi Girma acknowledged shortcomings in infrastructure, particularly telecommunications, roads, and airports. He said integration with the Ministry of Transport and the Ethiopian Roads Administration is vital to improve road networks in popular tourist areas. Minister Nassise Chali said that the tourism satellite account under construction will provide accurate data on employment generation, economic opportunities, tourist numbers, and contribution to GDP. She emphasised the Ministry's efforts to develop a skilled workforce with curriculums, manuals, and training modules in place. The sector, recovering from the pandemic and civil war is reported to have generated 3.2 billion dollars and 48 billion Br in revenue from foreign and local tourists during the past nine months. However, the Minister also acknowledged challenges related to park management, including illegal hunting, farming, and development projects, threaten wildlife populations. She proposed the eco-tourism approach will foster a sense of ownership and encourage local participation.
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