Addis Ababa (HAN) October 14, 2015 – Public Diplomacy Regional Security News BY: Eden Sahle. Although Ethiopia is among the top six countries with the most UNESCO heritage sites in Africa, it has not completely utilized the potential of its tourism industry. To alter this fact, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) targets to triple the annual number of visitors to more than 2.5 million in the next four years.
So far, the number of visitors has been far from the MoCT targets. In 2010, only 468,000 people visited the country, in 2013 the figure improved to 681,000 and to 750,000 in 2014. In spite of being below MoCT target, the number of visitors has been increasing by 10 percent each year and generating $2.9 billion. The average tourist staying period also rose up to 16 days.
The ministry is aspiring to earn $6 billion each year as proposed in its second Growth and Trans
formation ambitious Plan (GTP). The contribution of the tourism sector to the GTP is also planned to increase to 5% from its current 1.2%.
formation ambitious Plan (GTP). The contribution of the tourism sector to the GTP is also planned to increase to 5% from its current 1.2%.
Currently, the tourism industry contributes a little over 4% to the GDP, this is less than the target. The industry’s contribution to GDP was 4.2% in 2013 and it rose to 4.5% in 2014. However the figure is predicted to rise significantly by 2024 creating a direct improved economic impact.
“Continuing to develop infrastructure that meets the expectations of guests is key to increase revenue from the sector and to support the general economy.” said Estelle Verdier, Managing Director of Jovago East and Southern Africa.
Infrastructure development is another area which received great attention in the bid to increase revenue from the tourism sector. Ethiopia has eight new global brand hotels in the pipeline and is listed among the top markets with several deals in process as new chain hotels venture into the untapped hotel sector development.
Hilton signed a deal for upscale Hilton Hawassa Resort & Spa which is expected to open in 2020. Marriott International in partnership with Sunshine Business, opened Africa’s first Marriott Executive Apartments in Ethiopia’s capital.
“Hotel ownership provides an exciting investment opportunity where rewards can be in excess of the risks involved. Investment is moving past the traditional markets of Egypt, South Africa and Morocco, where rewards are not as high, because of the larger existing supply,” David Harper, Head of Property Services at Hotel Partners Africa said.
On the other hand, Ethiopia’s tourism has created 783,638 jobs over the last four years contributing 3.8% to the total employment as reported by the 2014 World Travel and Tourism Council.
Source: geeskaafrika.com
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