BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
ADDIS ABABA– Improving domestic tourism, encouraging Diaspora to engage in tourism sector, and expanding package services with countries that have better visitors are important to revitalize the war-affected tourism, according to an expert in the field.
Ethiopian Tourism and Hotel Marketing Association President Getahun Alemu told local media that the tourism sector has slowed down in the war-affected areas due to the security situation and destruction of hotels and other related facilities. He added that much work needs to be done to revitalize the tourism sector in the areas.
Getahun also stated that the domestic tourism can be improved by inspiring local visitors to visit the war-torn areas, and encouraging members of the Diaspora community in the sector and increase their activities.
As to him, institutional and group visits should be made to the war-affected areas. Tour operators have also made widespread preparations for this. Such activities are aimed at achieving self-support, he added.
He further noted that increasing the flow of international tourists to the affected areas is another way to revitalize tourism. Package services need to be expanded with countries with better visitors like Kenya, South Africa, and others.
“Before the outbreak of the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, we signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the tour operators in the aforesaid countries,” the expert indicated, adding that tour operators, tour guides, and hotels in Ethiopia should also take advantage of market opportunities.
The January 26/2022
