Ethiopia Secures Safe Travel Stamp

Feb 6 , 2021


Ethiopia has been granted the safe travel stamp given to countries that have complied with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) health and hygiene protocols by the World Travel & Tourism Council.  The validation, a result of a collaboration between the government and the private sector in implementing protocols, is expected to further revive the tourism sector amidst the pandemic. The stamp is intended to restore confidence in travelers and revive global travel and tourism by allowing for easy identification of safe destinations.  The Ministry of Culture & Tourism along with Tourism Ethiopia, the Addis Abeba Hotel Owner's Association, the Hotel Marketing Association, and the Ethiopian Chef's Association, crafted the Ethiopian Tourism & National Safe Travel Protocol aimed at ensuring safe travel in the country in mid-2020. Prepared following international guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the Protocol has four broad sections of applicability. The first three focus on tour operators, attraction sites and hospitality establishments, while the remaining section is applicable to meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions (MICE). The Council was established in the 1980s with the aim of representing the travel and tourism sector globally; and prioritising security and travel facilitation, crisis preparedness and management, and sustainable growth.


Radar

Arcane Markers

Hamere Berhan' at old post office prints books using ancient paper made from animal skin called 'Birana' .  The printing press is part of EOTC Ethiopian Tewahdo Orthodox Church which has had scribes for close to two millenia. Shortage of paper is still a problem in Ethiopia all newsapapers in the country are printed at one printing press , Birhana Selam around 4 kilo. This due to the fact there is a shortage of paper supply , no other printing press the government owned one have the forex to i...


Radar

Green Shift

A palm tree is moved to a new location for replanting around Meskel square. The global effort to battle man made climate change has gained steam over the last few years. African countries have shifted gear in tryin to unlock climate financing from the global north. With debt to GDP ratios averaging around 62pc continent wide, many countries are utilizing the climate narrative to get debt structuring. This one of the appeals of the PM of Ethiopia when he addressed the AU summit a month ago...


Radar

Strucural Makeover

Area around Ambassodor famous for its souvenir shops is getting demolished for real estate development. The A.A city administiration has ramped up efforts to remodel the city' s architecheure over the last few months. The capital was established by his majesty Emperor Menelik 137 years ago. He has also introduced the first telephone, car , hotel, hospital and host of other things to the country. A construction project headed by the mega projects office is 70 pc complete to commemorate his victor...