Ethiopian Ecotourism potential

1. Prospects of Ecotourism for Sustainable
Development in Ethiopia
By: Mengistu Tilahun

2. Presentation outlines
1.Introduction
2. Ecotourism potentials in Ethiopia
3. Contribution of ecotourism(Economic,
environmental &Local community)
4.Challenges of ecotourism in Ethiopia
5. Ecotourism policy of Ethiopia
6. Conclusion

3. • Ecotourism has been widely used since the mid 1990 s (Deepan,‟
2014)
• TIES (2002) - responsible travel that conserves the environment
and sustains the well being of local people
• Wight (1993), Wallace and Pierce (1996) enlightened the
principles of developing ecotourism in three key pillars
Environment, community wellbeing and development
1. INTRODUCTION
• Minimize negative impacts at the same time maximizing positive impacts
on environment, socio-culture and economy(Hall & Weaver, 2009)

4. o It was introduced in Ethiopia as
component of SWC under Land Use
Planning of Oromia (LUPO)
o Aims to create alternative income from
natural resources (Sindiga, 1999)
o The government of Ethiopia has recognized development
and promotion of ecotourism potential developers of
ecotourism sites (Sefrin, 2012)
oThe Ecotourism Association of Ethiopia (EAE), founded
in 2003 - address the challenges faced ecotourism in Ethiopia
(Asebe, 2012)
land of origins

5.  Ethiopia is extraordinarily rich with varied type of tourist attractions (Ethiopian Tourism
Commission, 1995)
2. ECOTOURISM POTENTIALS IN ETHIOPIA
Such a unique combination of attractions within a single country has no match on the
African continent, or rarely anywhere else (Martin, 2008)
• Historical
• Cultural
• Archaeological
• Anthropological
• Scenic
• Climatic
• Flora and
• Fauna resources

6.  Ethiopia have been registered ecotourism attractions as world heritage
sites by (UNESCO)
(a). UNESCO registered ecotourism sites
Simien Mountain National Park (1978) Lower Valley of the Omo (1980)
Tiya (1980)Biosphere Reserves (Kafa and Yayu) (Berhanu, 2003)

7.  Birds and wildlife are among the
major ecotourism resources in
Ethiopia
 Ethiopia is the 2nd highest count of
endemics in Africa after South
Africa (Nelson, 2009)
b). Birds and wildlife viewing
• There are areas with great diversity
and an incredible bird list of over 900
species in Ethiopia
(http://simienmountains.org/conservation/challenges)

8.  The nice looking of Ethiopia’s natural areas are spectacular places for ecotourists to watch the
real African big wild life
o Home of the
Unique Seven
o The seven distinctive and large endemic mammals found only in Ethiopia (Amare, 2015)
Ethiopian wolfMountain nyala
Walia ibex Menelik’s bush buck
Swayne’s hartebeest
Geladababoon
Bale monkey

9. c). Protected areas
 Protected areas are essential for
biodiversity conservation
(Brodnig, 2006)
 PA of Ethiopia are believed to be
the essential tourist destination
forever (Amare, 2015)
o Ethiopia had only two gazeted
protected areas (namely; Awash and
Simien Mountains National Park)
before 40 years (Admasu, 2013)
o Ethiopia had more than 55 PAs
covers about 16.4% of the country’s
land area (Zelalem, 2007)- 3rd
next
to Tanzania and Uganda

10. d). Mountains, Geological features and caves
 Ethiopia’s exotic mountains are almost untouched by individual trekkers/ hiking parties
and professional climbers (Henze, 2007)
o are spectacular scenery that could spark interest among visitors (Paul, 2007)
Semen chain Mountain Bale Mountain Geralta chain mountains
Fantalle in
Awash
National Park
ChilalomountaininArsi
Zuqualla
in Shoa

11.  Moreover, battle sites like
– Machew Mountain and
 are most interesting sites for history
loving eco tourists (MoCT, 2006)
• Places of significant political
events like
- Ankober
AdowaMountainEntoto

12.  The Lowest Point in Ethiopia which is - Danakil Depression (Dalol )
•places of spectacular natural scene for geologists and nature loving ecotourists (MoCT, 2007)
volcanic activities of
Erta Ale
The north central highland and rift
valley lakes regionsfumaroles and hot springs
o Popular
geological
features
ecotourism
Acid and sulfur world-dallol volcano

13. Carvings of people and animals
Caves and rock art
Tiya (UNESCO registered)Cave of Sof Omar in lowland Bale

14. e). Ethiopia’s lakes, islands and ecolodges
The source of the Blue Nile which has 37 islands
♣ The ecotourism supportive infrastructure in Ethiopia
(Paul, 2007)
Lake HayekLake Hashenge
• Bishoftu, Babogaya and
Kuriftu
• Bishangari eco-Lodge of
Langano Lake
♣ Village Ethiopia located at Afar Region (Bilen) Lake Shalla

15. f). Festival place of colorful ethnic groups its landscapes
The cultural landscapes of Konso
o Timket festival vs singing (chanting) the
festival place of tourist attraction(Ethiopian
cultural and Tourism office, 2016) Gada system included by UNESCO
Meskel celebration and landscapes

16. Renaissance dam our aspiration

17. 3. BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM IN ETHIOPIA
a). Economic benefits of ecotourism
 Gross domestic product –from tourists, hotels, travel agents, airlines,
passenger transport services, the activities of restaurant, leisure
industries(Weggoro, 2008)
- Contributes 4.5%
(WTTC, 2014;MoCT,2009)
Year Receipt(mill USD)
1970-1973 10.2
1989-1992 23.2
2005-2008 167
2008 157 Ethio-millinium
2013 1,980 Start of GTP-I
2024 3305.2 3.6% for GDP

18. o Its lower compared to IGAD
member States
Figure1: Comparison of tourist arrival in Ethiopia to selected
IGAD member states (UNWTO and UN, 2010)
o UNWTO and UN (2010) the
international tourists visited
Ethiopia were more than 400,000

19. o UNWTO and UN (2010), the
receipt from international
tourists visited Ethiopia is less
compare to IGAD member
Figure 2: Comparison of tourism receipts (USD in Millions)
of Ethiopia to selected IGAD member states (UNWTO ,
2010)
• Foreign exchange earnings
• Diversifying economies (Agrusa
and Guidry, 1999)
• Catalyst for development
(Desenbrok, 2002)

20. b). Environmental benefits ecotourism in Ethiopia
Climate change mitigation strategies
in responsive to climate change
(James, 2012)
Vital role in conservation and rural
development (Nelson, 2004)
Advocates a harmony between
human and nature (Miller, 1989)
Act as biodiversity ban (Colby,
1991)
Carbon sink (a reservoir of CO2)
Environmental
Benefits Ecotourism
In Ethiopia
Sustainabledevelopment

21. C). Ecotourism contribution for local communities
• Jobs and income for local communities (Eagles, 1995)
• Providing hotel accommodation,
• communication/information services,
• tented camps, lodges, tour guide, car
renting(Anonymous, 2009)
• in-house souvenirs materials, pictures of
wildlife (Sisay, 2004)
• local handicrafts,(Demeke, 2013)
Horse rental services and horse
porter/packer activities (Demeke, 2013)
traditionally prepared drinks, Ethiopian known jebana
coffee and cultural foods of Ethiopia (Sisay, 2004)
Culturalclothes
transport/driving
services boat renting

22. 4. CHALLENGES FACING ECOTOURISM IN ETHIOPIA
o infrastructures and services not fully reach (Binayew, 2014)
o protected areas are distressed (UNEP, 2013)
o lack of integrity and cooperation among the stakeholders (Lindberg,
2001)
o Existing policies frameworks not explicit on ecotourism
o Poor quality service provision No formal mechanisms of benefits
sharing with and leakages reduction
o Limited involvement of domestic tourists in Ecotourism

23.  GTP (MoFED, 2012), have identified ecotourism as one of the key sectors of economic growth
 The government’s strategic intent is to make Ethiopia one of the
 top ten destinations in Africa by 2020 (Eshetu, 2011)
 the top five tourist destination in Africa by 2025
5. ETHIOPIAN ECOTOURISM POLICY
o targeted tourism marketing development, capacity building, development of new and old tourist
destinations , cooperation and integration with stakeholders during the First Growth and
Transformation Plan (GTP -I)
o Lack of infrastructure, capable human resource, accessibility, accommodations and hotels
solved in the Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) (ENA, July 15, 2016)
o In GTP-II- Ethiopian Tourism Transformation committee was established in 2016
o Increasing receipts per visitor at an average annual rate of 1.6% to USD 1,100
o Increasing total tourism receipts at an average annual rate of 20% per annum to USD 12.5 bill

24. 6.CONCLUSION
 Ethiopia has diverse ecotourism resources
 Ecotourism contributes for Economy of Ethiopia
 Ecotourism brought employment opportunities, creating new jobs
 Ecotourism transferring income from wealthy to poor at destination
 The GTP have identified Ecotourism as one of the key sectors
of economic growth for citizen
 Ecotourism helps for sustainable resource management in Ethiopia

26. Strengths
 Diverse natural tourism resources
 Novelty of destinations not fully visited
 Preserved rich and diverse cultures/traditions –80 ethnic groups
 Diverse, unique and globally significant sites
(8 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 2 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves)
 Existence of Ecotourism Association of Ethiopia (EAE)
 Increasing private sector investment in ecotourism
 Private companies venturing into offering ecoproducts - birding
 Willingness of individual private companies to embrace ecotourism
Weakness
 Increasing encroachment on conservation areas
 Limited community awareness about ecotourism
 Poor image of region as an ecotourism – past political instability
 Limited mobilization of community to engage in Ecotourism
 Existing policies and regulatory frameworks not explicit on ecotourism
 No specific data collected and statistics compiled on ecotourism
 Poor quality service provision No formal mechanisms of benefits
sharing with and leakages reduction
 Lack of specific ecotourism investment strategies and guidelines
 Limited involvement of domestic tourists in Ecotourism
Opportunities
o Strengthening and building capacity of EAE
o Strengthening tourist education and interpretation centers
o Strengthening and promote existing ecotourism
oWildlife Conservation Authority – EWCA
o Government developing ecotourism strategies and guidelines
oLimited sector competition in ecotourism ventures/products
o Ecotourism marketing
o Mobilizes and empower community to develop or co-manage
ecotourism projects
Threats
 International terrorism
 Insecurity within some neighboring countries
Global financial depression
High competition from developed ecotourism destinations e.g. Kenya
 Negative travel advisories
 Negative image of country -perceived as a region of famine, hunger and
suffering
7.Ethiopia Ecotourism SWOT Analysis