The tourism industry in Ethiopia is has significantly improved with the influx of tourists to the East Africa country. A number of factors can be attributed to the positive growth of the tourism sector in the country which in time past was struggling to attract foreign tourist to the country.
The Managing Director, Ethiopian International Services, Esayas WoldeMariam Hailu, said with the growth of aviation service, there is better opportunity to promote Ethiopia as a tourist destination among tourists.
According to him, the growth of aviation is positively contributing to the tourism industry through availing better connectivity to different tourist destinations in Africa and beyond.
Esayas who spoke with Journalists in Addis Ababa stated that as one of the most thriving state owned enterprises, Ethiopian Airlines has been contributing to Ethiopia’s economy in terms of foreign currency generation.
He stated that the airline also plays a catalyzing role to the development of Ethiopia’s tourism sector further contributing its share to the country’s economy.
He said: “Through its freighter services, Ethiopian also facilities import-export trade. Today, Ethiopia is second in Africa in horticulture export thanks to the connectivity the airline created. “
With about 200 daily flights out its hub in Addis Ababa and daily passenger traffic of 52,800 the airline has transformed its terminal to a major international hub for foreign travellers in the continent.
According to a report published by atqnews.com, the country grossed $1.4 billion US dollars from tourism revenue.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Culture disclosed that the figure was in respect of the second half of 2018 (July – December, 2018). The figure, however, fell short of the government’s projected target.
The plan was to secure 2.7 billion US dollars but the country managed to attain 53% of its target by earning 1.4 billion US dollars, Minister Hirut Kassa told the media.
In terms of figures, about 380,376 foreign tourists visited Ethiopia’s tourist attraction sites in the said period.
By Friday Nwosu
