Page 47 - Abyssinia Busniess Network November 2019

ABN: How did you begin your despite its abundant and unique called Courage Ethiopia in 2013.
business in tour and travel tourism potential, it doesn’t This initiative was accompanied by
business? properly unleash these sources. a portal web site tourism directory
This was really annoying and which was visited by 7.5 people and
Zelalem: While growing up in disturbing me at that moment. I had also tourist guide book which had
Addis Alem where many tourists to investigate the needs of visitors a twenty thousand circulation per
used to visit the tourist attractions regarding quality and standards edition. This tourist guide book or
such as the Menelik Palace and of good tourism operation. So magazine had been in publication for
Saint Mary Church, I had the my job was to upgrade the ways nearly four years until 2017.
chance to get insight into what and approaches in the business
tourism mean, what local guides through recruiting well-trained The tourism industry needs a
were doing. Moreover, I was professionals for Zelalem Tour and sustainable and effective promotion
working at a garage where vehicles Travel Agent. so that the country could benefit from
of tour operators had been fixed. the sector. As it’s called a smokeless
This also had an impact on my ABN: What about the job industry, it is the only economic
interest in tourism. Then I was opportunity your company has sector that the country could earn
hired by a tour and travel company; created for citizens, and the good foreign currency without
while working at this company I vehicles the company is using? spending money on it. I strongly
continued my education on tour believe that we have done our
operation supervision in extension Zelalem: Zelalem Tour and Travel level best to promote the country’s
program.I had worked only for two Agent has created job opportunity tourism.
years here. When tourists made for nearly twenty five permanent
attempts to tip me I used to tell and freelance employees working “We are now mainly producing
them that I would have my own with not less than eighteen different different superior quality leather
tour and travel company, and you quality and up-to-date vehicles the jackets, gym bags, travelling bags,
would help me then. I first ran a industry currently require. ladies bags, hand bags toilet bags,
car rental business; then I decided cosmetics bags, various male and
to start operating my own tour and ABN: You are also well-known for female wallets, and other products.”
travel Company in 2008.This’s your contribution to the promotion
how all began. of the country’s tourism sector. ABN: What honors and awards
Tell us about this. have you received so far for your
ABN: So, how did it go?....I mean effort in promoting and doing tour
how was the business then? Zelalem: Of course, I was strongly and travel business?
motivated to promote the nation’s
Zelalem: You know I was well tourism potential at the outset; so Zelalem: I have, indeed,
aware of the fact that Ethiopia, I had to launch a sister company received various recognitions and

A W A R D

Abyssinia Business Nework ህዳር 2012 / November 2019 45