USAID Supports Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Ethiopia 

Friday, October 24th, Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) Today the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) closed the three day workshop entitled “Creating the Structure for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Ethiopia” which took place in Sodere.  The workshop is a key step along the pathway in the design of USAID’s new five-year $14 million dollar ecotourism program, implemented by the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Alliance (ESTA).

Summing up the progress made at the ground breaking workshop, Mission Director Glenn Anders noted, “This is probably the first time that representatives from Ethiopia’s entire tourism industry have gathered in one room and with such a common purpose.”  Having underlined the growing significance of tourism, not only to the world economy, but specifically to job creation and poverty alleviation in Ethiopia, Mr. Anders commended the 100 participants on their dedication and commitment to growing sustainable and responsible tourism in Ethiopia.  Mr. Anders added, “You have undertaken a creative journey, having recalled the origins of tourism in Ethiopia, analyzed current opportunities, and formulated a collaborative vision for the future.”

The Workshop was opened by Ato Tessera Kefetew, Executive advisor to minister for culture and tourism, on Wednesday, October 22nd, and participants represented the Federal Government, Regional Governments, tourism associations and training institutions, private sector tourism facilities, donors, development organizations, transportation companies, media representatives, and influential personalities.

ESTA is part of the USAID Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance, which uses tourism development as a vehicle to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, promote natural resource stewardship, and conserve biodiversity in a number of countries around the world.  In Ethiopia, the Alliance is already working with local stakeholders to design a program that will create jobs, respect social-cultural values and heritage, and protect the environment.  Program activities will include biodiversity conservation, ecotourism and other niche market development, workforce development, and handicraft production and marketing. The program will also address overarching issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the tourism sector, and will employ innovative approaches to energize and involve key stakeholders across the entire tourism spectrum.

Although UN World Tourism figures show Ethiopia only attracting 0.7% of Africa’s visitors at present, the U.S. Government believes that, with appropriate support and commitment from the Government of Ethiopia and the private sector, there is scope for significant increase in both the number of visitors and their contribution to the economy.