Print
Email
0
0
Ethiopia’s ministry of culture and tourism said that the country received some $461 million from over 580,000 tourists to the country.
Minister Amin Abdulkadir said while speaking at a press conference to discuss the ministry’s performance, that the tourism numbers were a positive step as the country looked to promote its cultural, natural and historical heritage and make Ethiopia a top East African destination.
Abdulkadir added that the amount excludes the sum secured from domestic tourists.
He said the culture and tourism sector is working towards success of the country’s five-year Growth and Transformation Plan.
He said†activities carried out to organize cultural festivals, culture exchange among nations, nationalities and peoples help towards tourism development.â€
“Integrated activities among states and stakeholders also helps to increase the revenue the country earns from tourism sector,†the minister said.
Ethiopia has seen tourism ebb and flow as a result of political tension in the country and violence that has flared along the southern border in recent months.
Ethiopia earns nearly $500 million from tourism
This, doubled with the uncertainty of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s health, has many in the tourism industry worried that visitors could again look elsewhere for their travels.
“Definitely, the ongoing controversy surrounding Meles’ health is a concern for us in the tourism industry, so hopefully it gets sorted soon,†one tourism operator told Bikyamasr.com on Tuesday.
Average Rating