Page 10 - Abyssinia Busniess Network November 2019

Tourism Ethiopia

in Action

Tourism Ethiopia Chief Executive Officer, Seleshi Girma has earned
MBA in Int’l Business, MSc in Wildlife Conservation, and PGD in
Tourism Management, and has got 14 years of experience in academics
teaching, industry advising and government Leadership; he has
alsoworked as tourism development advisor for the Ministry of Culture
and Tourism, for Addis Ababa City Tourism Bureau Deputy Head ,
lecturer at the University of Gondar, and consultant for international
organizations working on tourism development.
Seleshi Girma
Chief Executive Officer
/CEO/
Tourism Ethiopia

How could you describe the existing How far governments support the
condition of tourism in Ethiopia? nation’s tourism sector?

Ethiopia has many diverse natural “ Government is willing to support the
and cultural tourist attractions. Unlike sector by;
other nations in the continent, the i. Opening up of tourism
country has competitive tourism We strongly studies in universities,
resources having high potential to believe that ii. Provides incentives to import
attract tourists. Most importantly it is duty free items such as vehicles for
the leading nation sheltering about 12 tourism is equally tour operators, construction materials

UNESCO recognized world heritage for hotels and even restaurants.
sites. Consequently, there has been a growing in rural iii. Enhance the private sector
growing trend in the sector. areas as it is in the capacity to promote its business
What are the main activities your cities. Agriculture through sharing costs with the
government, such as with my office.
organization is undertaking right is an input for iv. Though very weak, tried to ensure
now? the conservation of heritages.
tourism, and v. It tries to play a role in securing
Basically, 4 major things to do as per tourist destinations for visitors.
the mandate given to the organization- tourists love to
i. Facilitating the tourist experience the life Is tourism in Ethiopia different
destination development, from other countries worldwide?
ii. Capacity building of the sector in these areas.
ህዳር 2012 / November 2019”
iii. Promote and market the Eventually Yes,
tourism resources and build i. The tourism in Ethiopia is highly
the Image of the country. focused on inbound tourism
iv. Conduct researches on any business. Aimed to receive foreign
issues of destination tourists and has ignored the business
development & of sending out potential tourists from
tourism promotions.. home to the outside world or at least

08 Abyssinia Business Nework