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Aside from the preparations and the actual celebration of the Irreechaa cultural festival, the most pressing local issue that was frequently heard in the news headlines last week was the reopening of the country to international tourists, as well as the reopening of schools. . In addition, we have also heard contrasting tragic news in this month of celebration about the passing of a legend who was undoubtedly one of the most prominent personalities of modern Ethiopia.
The controversial academic, public intellectual, and prolific author was the iconic champion of human rights and fierce critic of the three regimes that survived. Probably Professor Mesfin’s enduring legacy would be: he set the bar for the scholar by expressing his opinion without fear or favor, and stood firm in the face of injustice and prosecution, without even considering fleeing abroad in search of a safe haven and luxury. .
Returning to our topic, it was last Sunday that World Tourism Day was celebrated in Jigjiga, the capital of the Somali Region, in the presence of a constellation of regional heads of states and the Minister of Culture and Tourism among others. Higher government authorities at both the federal and regional levels.
FBC has reported on the event saying: “the 33 [World Tourism Day] Under the slogan “Tourism and Rural Development” it was commemorated with various events attended by the main administrators of the regional states and other high government officials. On the occasion there have been cultural exhibitions of costumes and works of art that represent nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. “
ENA quoted the head of the Regional State of Somalia as saying: the development of tourist destinations, the maintenance of peace and stability are vital to boost the tourism industry is one of the sectors that Ethiopia identified as a vehicle through which it rises to a tower of prosperity for years to come. ten years. The news agency stated that the 2020 edition of World Tourism Day was celebrated by emphasizing the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage around the world.
Last week, tourism officials told ENA that Ethiopia was scheduled to reopen to tourism starting this October. The officials indicated that there will be preventive guidelines and protocols to be implemented by all the actors involved in the tourism business. The use of masks and disinfectant, safe spacing in transportation, and the practice of physical distancing and disinfection of tourist sites are some of the topics addressed in the protocol. The reopening process is reportedly based on government recovery plans, strategies and actions being implemented by all stakeholders to revitalize the tourism industry decimated by the global pandemic.
“To begin with, we anticipate fewer visitors, so the tourist sites will be much emptier. This means that now is the best time to book a special trip where you can enjoy quiet and relaxed situations, and early bird offers and incentives,” commented a tour operator.
The successful implementation of the COVID-19 prevention protocols that will be applied from the airport to the tourist sites requires the commitment of all those involved in the tourist activity and the tourist himself. Officials have indicated that the preventive actions that are being carried out have provided an opportunity to address the health and sanitation problems that used to be detected at tourist sites and accommodation facilities.
As the nation reopens its doors to tourists in the New Year, it has undergone various renovation works on existing tourist sites, as well as created additional new and compelling tourist sites that are easily accessible and convenient to several thousand of international transit. passengers passing through the capital city.
Some of these new tourist destinations that showcase the nation’s immense historical, cultural and natural tourism potential are Unity Park, Sheger Park, and Entoto Park. “These new parks are unique in that they offer varieties ranging from a sports game, sightseeing, accommodation to natural, historical, cultural and traditional attractions,” says a local tour and tourism operator. It was also reported that the government, together with development partners, was taking bold and effective initiatives to develop new tourist attraction sites, holiday destinations that can serve a large number of tourists, in various regions to promote the tourism sector. .
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It should be remembered that five years ago, in 2015, the European Tourism and Trade Council crowned Ethiopia with the title of Best Tourist Destination of 2015. In addition, last June, Forbes, the internationally renowned American business magazine, has placed Ethiopia among the top seven prospective countries to be tourism destinations in the post-COVID-19 world. There are more than a dozen facts that make it logical to place Ethiopia at the top of your list of potential tourist spots and tourism investment destinations.
Last week, a Sudanese business delegation on a 10-day mission to explore investment opportunities in ‘the land of origins’ had been visiting selected potential tourist destinations. ENA quoted the head of the delegation as saying that Ethiopia’s enormous potential in the tourism sector has inspired most members of the business delegation to invest in hotels and resorts of international standards and other sectors.
