Published in Business in Africa magazine

Tourism - Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a country of contrasts and extremes, from the cool Simien Mountains peaking at over 4 600m to the scorching low-lying Danakil Depression - 120m below sea level and the hottest place on earth. Situated in northeast Africa with Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya as neighbours, Ethiopia is old beyond imagination. Its culture and traditions date back 3 000 years, but hominid fossil finds dated at 4,4 million years show Ethiopia to be the earliest known home of humankind.

By Keri Harvey
Tourists visiting the country can enjoy unusual and diverse attractions from rare wildlife such as the highly endangered Ethiopian wolf, to ancient history in the rock-hewn churches of the north, and languid Rift Valley Lakes. Importantly, Ethiopia is not yet spoilt by mass tourism and though roads are rough, Ethiopian Airlines flies regularly to all domestic destinations making travel extremely easy and efficient. To add, Ethiopia is an all-year destination with near-perfect weather, unusual spicy food and the best coffee in the world. Plus, the people are friendly and hospitable.

Addis Ababa is the capital and economic and social nerve centre of Ethiopia. It's a big sprawling city with excellent restaurants, good shopping, theatre and plenty of tourist attractions. But Ethiopia is really a place for outdoor lovers, as the choice attractions throughout the country are open air. For the energetic there's walking and trekking, pony trekking and mountain climbing in the Simien Mountains in the north and Bale Mountains in the south. Dire Dawa in the east offers caving, and virtually the whole country is a birder's Mecca with 861 species.

However, the concept of ecotourism is still relatively new to Ethiopia and developers and policy makers still need some convincing - but the Ethiopian Tourism Commission is aware of the benefits and has incorporated the development and promotion of ecotourism in its planning for the first time. At present there are four investors engaged in ecotourism site development in different regions of the country - so also creating employment and uplifting communities through tourism.

 

In addition, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has chosen Ethiopia as one of the first countries to be targeted by its Sustainable Tourism and Elimination of Poverty (STEP) initiative. WTO Secretary General, Francesco Frangialli, described Ethiopia as "a huge tourism magnet with its seven World Heritage Sites". He added that "Tourism is the only service industry where there is a positive balance of trade flowing from First World to Third World countries, and cities like Addis Ababa could reap enormous rewards from growth in the tourist sector."The new initiative will offer technical and operational expertise, promote quality ethics and practices and establish a unit to attract funding for tourism proposals. STEP will thus focus on the creative development of sustainable tourism - social, economic and ecological - as a force for poverty elimination.

Tourism also features in Ethiopia's Poverty Reduction Strategy, which aims to combat poverty and encourage development. In support, the government has revamped regional airports, restored historical sites and now offers visas upon entry to the country in a bid to attract more tourists. Impressively, last year 180 000 people visited Ethiopia, generating USD80.

 

However, there is still enormous potential for investment in tourism in Ethiopia. The northern tourist circuit, known as the Historic Route, comprises the most important tourist sites such as Bahir Dar, the Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana and its island monasteries, Gondar, the Simien National Park, Axum, and Lalibela. The tourist attractions in these areas have been relatively well promoted since the 1960s, but the shortage of adequate accommodation establishments and related facilities have hampered further growth of tourism in the area.

The southern, eastern and south-western parts of the country are also endowed with natural and cultural attractions. The Great Rift Valley with its seven scenic lakes, numerous hot springs and a variety of wildlife, offers great potential for tourism development - but inadequate accommodation here again hampers tourism growth.

The National Tourism Development Plan has, therefore, identified various areas for short and long term development. Of these, the following sites have been identified as potentially attractive to foreign investors: Shalla-Abiyata Lakes National Park (hotel, thermal baths); Awash National Park (lodge); Simien Mountains (lodge); Sof-Omar Cave (roads and lighting for the cave, tourist centre, lodge and restaurant); as well as three hotels along the Historic Route at Bahir Dar, Lalibela and Makalle.

 

With this tourism infrastructure planning in place, Ethiopia is set to take greater advantage - and reap the rewards - for it's unique and ancient tourist attractions. Without doubt, in Ethiopia there is something for everyone.

 

Top tourist attractions:
Historic Route of Gondar, Axum and Lalibela - for 17th century castles, obelisks and ancient rock-hewn churches.
Bale Mountains National Park - high altitude scenery, rare Ethiopian wolves and excellent birding. September to February best for birding in Ethiopia.
Simien Mountains - dramatic scenery and trekking.
Lake Tana - source of the Blue Nile, 37 islands and ancient monastries.
Gambella National Park - wetlands with good wildlife and bird life.
Abijatta-Shalla Lakes - magnificent Rift Valley lakes.
Danakil Depression - moonscape scenery and crater lake.

Stat facts
GDP (2004): Agriculture: 47%; Industry: 12,4%; Services: 40,6%
Population below the poverty line (2004): 50%
Ethiopia is one of the 48 least developed countries in the world.
Imports: food, petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles.
Exports: coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oil seeds.
Population (2005): 73 million
Capital: Addis Ababa, population 2,7 million
Currency: Birr
Language: Amharic
Religion: 50% Islamic; 40% Ethiopian Orthodox; 10% Animist and other.
Visas: Only Kenyan nationals do not require a visa to visit Ethiopia.
Time: 3 hours ahead of GMT.

 

Contacts:
Ethiopian Airlines:
Addis Ababa: Tel: +251-1-616666 - international reservations or -61 6161 - domestic reservations.
Johannesburg: Tel +27(0)11-6167624; www.flyethiopia.com
FK Explorer Ethiopia Travel and Tours PLC (Addis Ababa): for tailor-made trips or tours to the Simien Mountains, Omo Valley, Danakil Depression, the Historic Route and specialist birding packages. Tel: +251-1-638431; +251-1-2513778 or +251-9-214425 (mobile); email: fkwinet(at)ethionet.et or see www.fkexplorertours.com
Unusual Destinations (Johannesburg): for tailor-made trekking, birding, wildlife, historic and adventure trips to all destinations in Ethiopia. Tel: +27(0)117061991; email: info(at)unusualdestinations.com or see www.unusualdestinations.com
Ethiopian Tourism Commission (Addis Ababa) - Tel: +251-1-512310; email: tour-com(at)telecom.net.et or see www.ethiopiatourism.com
Also see: www.tourismethiopia.org/pages/ethiopia.asp; www.africaguide.com/country/ethiopia; www.lonelyplanet.com