Ethiopia plans to attract 1 million tourists, generate $3 billion in Revenue
ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that it plans to generate 3 billion USD from the tourism sector amid the impacts of COVID-19.
Ministry Public and International Relations Head Endegena Desalegn told The Ethiopian Herald that the Ministry plans to attract one million tourists and generate more than 3 billion USD this fiscal year.
The Ministry is undertaking different measures to cope with the effects of COVID-19, he said
The newly designed tourism protocol strategy, recovery strategy, among others will enter into implementation phase very soon and help to manage the sector properly and achieve the plan, Endegena said.
The new tourist destinations in Addis Ababa will give huge motivation to the country’s tourism and achieve its plan he said adding, Ethiopian passengers and transiting passengers will use the opportunity to extend their stay in Addis Ababa.
The country is working to open its tourist destinations in October through properly implementing the newly approved tourism protocol strategy and taking precautionary measures against COVID-19, he said.
Besides, the country will mark the 41st World Tourism Day for 33rd time themed “tourism and rural development” in Somali State Jigjiga town.
Various workshops, experience sharing, and thorough discussions on strategies will be held to benefit the rural community from the tourism sector while marking the World Tourism Day.
Accordingly, 2.071 million USD has been generated and some 541,000 international tourists have visited the country last fiscal year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in the loss of 1/3 of the country’s income from tourism.
The Ethiopian Herald
