Ethiopia's Economic Climate

Tourism

Ethiopia possesses numerous tourist attractions which are varied in type and appeal to a wide range of interests. Attractions include historical, cultural, archeological, anthropological and wildlife resources. Such a unique combination of attractions within a single country is unmatched on the African continent.

The ancient city of Axum, once the center of a powerful empire, is still graced with magnificent obelisks that are millennia old but seem to anticipate modem skyscrapers in design. The medieval city of Lalibela is a key holy city for Ethiopian Christians. For centuries foreign travelers have regarded it as one of the most outstanding spiritual sites in the world. Lalibela contains some of the world's most wonderful churches; hand-carved out of monolithic rocks and mountainsides that are generally regarded as one of the marvels of medieval architecture. Yet the complex of churches at Lalibela is just the best known of the country's tens of thousands of Orthodox Christian churches and monasteries. Many of these are of deep historical interest and outstanding beauty.

Although often associated in the west with Christianity, Ethiopia's population is almost equally divided between Christians and Muslims. Ethiopia thus contains many important Islamic sites and shrines. The Islamic world credits Ethiopia as being the land of sanctuary for the prophet Mohammed's first followers, who were forced to flee from their country due to persecution. The Al Negashi Mosque at Wukro is today a reminder both of that Mohammedan sojourn and religious tolerance in Ethiopia. The walled city of Harar, with its hundreds of mosques and unique architecture, is also renowned for its role in Islamic history.

Ethiopia's 17th century capital city, Gondar, is also among Ethiopia's main attractions. Anthropological finds such as the 3.5 million-year-old skeleton of "Lucy" appeal not only to the specialists, but also to all those interested in the early beginnings of humans and their civilization. Ethiopia is sometimes referred to as a mosaic of peoples and cultures due to its ethnic diversity. More than 80 languages are spoken. Two of the world's major religions (Christianity and Islam) plus a number of some lesser-known faiths are followed, resulting in rich and varied cultures. Religious and other cultural festivals, with roots in the distant past, are very colorful and still continue to form an important part of communal life.

The physical features of the country are outstanding for they incorporate high plateau, long mountain ranges, lofty peaks, deep gorges, the largest cave in Africa (South of Omar), the lowest depression on earth (Dallol) and the Great Rift Valley. Ethiopia's landscape encompasses savanna lands, tropical forests, deserts, and beautiful lakes, including Lake Tana - the source of the Blue Nile, spectacular waterfalls as well as volcanic hot springs.

Though situated not far from the equator, much of the country has a climate tempered by high altitude. Ethiopia's tourism slogan "Thirteen Months of Sunshine" partly arises from the idyllic year-round, spring-like climate of most regions of the country. Ethiopia also has abundant wildlife resources. Out of the 345 species of birds and 260 species of mammals registered in Ethiopia, as many as 50 are indigenous to Ethiopia. Virtually all types of Africa's big game can be found in Ethiopia in their natural states and habitats. Ten national parks, 13 wildlife reserves and sanctuaries, and 18 controlled hunting areas have been established in order to protect these resources of the country.

POTENTIAL AREAS OF INVESTMENT

A number of sectarian studies have been undertaken on the potential of tourism development. The latest of these forms The National Tourism Development Plan, conducted in two phases by Tourconsult International S.A. of Italy. The first phase of the study, completed in 1990, deals with the southern region of Ethiopia and the second phase, dating from 1995, mainly examines the tourist potential of the western, eastern and northern regions of the country.

The northern tourist circuit known as the "Historic Route" comprises the most important tourist sites such as Bahr Dar, the Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana and its island monasteries, Gondar, the Simian National Park, Axum, Yeha and Debre Damo. It also includes Adigrat, Mekelle, Lake Hayk, Lalibela, Dessie and Bati Market. The tourist attractions in these sites were relatively well promoted in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Since the political and economic watershed of 1991 many tour operators in Europe and North America have again begun including such sites in their portfolios of destinations. However, shortage of adequate accommodation and facilities for sports, recreation and entertainment continue to hamper the growth of tourism. It is clear that a considerable volume of investment, much of it probably from foreign sources, is required to improve Ethiopia's hotel and leisure facilities.

The southern, eastern and southwestern parts of the country are also endowed with numerous natural and cultural attractions. The Great Rift Valley with its seven beautiful lakes, numerous hot springs and a variety of wildlife, offers considerable potential for the development of tourism. But inadequacy of accommodation and other related facilities also remain serious obstacles to the growth of tourism in the areas. The National Tourism Development Plan has therefore identified various sites for short and long term development projects. Of these, the following sites have been identified as potentially attractive to foreign investors.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

"We are not advertising or promoting just Ethiopia as a destination, but the whole of Africa," says Mr. Bisrat Nigatu, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. "We wish to be seen as an African carrier. Our whole network is based on the concept of connecting Africa to the rest of the world through Addis Ababa."

For Americans, direct access to Ethiopia is now much easier since Ethiopian Airlines introduced direct scheduled services to Washington and New York last year. Ethiopian Airlines is a very visible symbol of the country's determination to open up to the rest of the world and to participate in the global market place."

<- Previous - Next ->