Ethiopia is among the oldest independent states with more than 3000 years of history. It also remained independent during the scramble of Africa and the resulting colonization of the continent by European powers and hence has preserved its historical traditions and values intact. Besides possessing numerous man-made and natural tourism attractions, the country is believed to be the cradle of humankind, as it is the founding place of Lucy, a 3.2 million-year-old member of Australopithecus afarensis. This makes it among the top tourism destinations in the world.

For example, CNN’s Sophie Eastaugh said the following points regarding Ethiopia’s tourism attraction on her July 17, 2015 report. “You would be forgiven for thinking it was Spain, Thailand or Italy. But this year the accolade of World Best Tourism Destination has been given to a surprising candidate: Ethiopia.

“The country has been praised for its outstanding natural beauty, dramatic landscapes and ancient culture, leading the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select it out of 31 countries as this year’s top holiday spot”.

The number of people who visited the country has increased by 10 per cent over the last decade, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Last year, more than 600,000 tourists visited Ethiopia, attracted by its beautiful national parks, 3,000 year-old archaeological history and nine UNESCO world heritage sites.

Tourism contributed an estimated 4.5 per cent to the country’s GDP last year, generating nearly a million jobs and over two billion dollars in revenue, according to the World Bank.

The Ethiopian Tourism Organization has predicted that one million tourists are expected to visit Ethiopia this year. The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation also mentioned in its (EBC, July 26, 2016 news report that the number of tourists visiting the country this year is expected to hit one million, doubling the number of visitors from just three years ago. It is already stated that more than 750,000 tourists visited this year enabling the country earn more than a billion dollars besides creating millions of jobs at home.

Ethiopia’s ancient Orthodox Christianity has endowed the nation with thousands of churches and monasteries, some of them enshrined as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the most notable one being the rock hewn church of Lalibela. A succession of empires and kingdoms also added medieval forts, palaces and tombs like the Gondar citadel and the towering stones of Axum obelisk.

“Tourism had been on the back burner for a long time,” says Solomon Tadesse, CEO of the Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO). “The country was going through major changes and the government’s priorities were health, education, communication.”

A tourism transformation council was established to provide direction to the industry and the ETO was created to handle marketing, promotion and product development.

The tourism push coincided with a massive upsurge in foreign investment from China, India, Turkey and other nations that boosted GDP with an annual growth rates of around 10 per cent. Addis Ababa is in the midst of a building boom that includes a massive expansion of Bole International Airport and a number of new hotels. With the Ethiopian economy going like gangbusters, tourism is slowly but surely moving to becoming on of the most lucrative sectors.

The national capital has a new light rail system (the first in Africa) and the Chinese has undertaken the 4-billion USD task of rebuilding and modernizing the old railroad line between Addis and Djibouti. A brand new superhighway whisks traffic through the Great Rift Valley south of the capital while a nationwide road improvement campaign is rapidly improving land transport between other major cities.

Provincial capitals are getting new airport terminals. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the national air carrier is in the midst of a massive expansion that includes the latest Boeing and Airbus aircrafts. The route network is also growing, with New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Dublin, Cape Town and Manila added since early 2015.

With more than 400 hotels and massive infrastructure improvements throughout the country, Addis Ababa is ready to accommodate considerable number of tourists as per their interests. Construction of new hotels is also well under way in the other places. Addis Ababa-based Jacaranda is developing luxury properties on the shores of Lake Tana near Bahir Dar, on a hilltop above the ancient stele of Axum, on Simien Mountains National Park and overlooking historic Gondar.

The tide is turning for Ethiopia’s tourism industry, as the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently announced it plan to triple the number of foreign visitors, to more than 2.5 million, by 2020, with an ultimate goal of making Ethiopia one of Africa’s top five tourist destinations [by 2020 says a journalist from Daily Mail.

The second Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP II) is being successfully implemented and it is believed to make Ethiopia among lower middle income countries. The massive construction of railways with the aim to connecting remote towns, villages with the capital is expected to make land transportation more efficient and comfortable and hence instrumental to attracting tourists. The modern road and express way construction are also another assets in attracting tourists who are interested to visit the country’s tourist attractions. State-of-the-art hotels that are being built by foreigner and local investors are also another ways of solving the difficulties faced by tourists who want to visit the country. What make GTP II instrumental for the development of the tourism sector is because of the fact that it is aiming at lifting

the country from poverty and transforming it into a middle income country by constructing modern infrastructures, increasing agricultural products and creating stable macro economy. This is believed to create conducive environment for doing business, attracting potential investors and tourists. If it is managed to achieve these lofty goals, it would make it possible for the Ethiopian Tourism Commission to implement the plan to attracting more than two million tourists and creating million jobs by 2020. That is an ambitious plan yet feasible.

In concluding remarks, Ethiopia must speed up and upgrade infrastructural and modern hotels development, as well as public relations activities and promotion to realize the plan of improving the contribution of tourism to the national economy. The political stability must also be maintained. If these activities are accomplished successfully, then the tourism sector will become one of the pillars of the policies and strategies set by the government to defeat poverty, realize development and deepen the democratization process going on in the country.

Then what must be done is a massive public relations activities as done by other countries that are successful in promoting their tourism potential to the global communities and managed to attract large number of tourists and hence earn billions of dollars every year. The best examples in this regard are countries like Thailand, Japan, Kenya, Egypt etc. to mention few. This is very essential as Ethiopia prides itself of establishing a reputation as one of the most stable countries in Africa with unique natural and historical tourist attraction sites which have some 5000 years of history.

(Zeraye Hailemariam, The Ethiopian Herald)

The government continues to engage public to sustain ongoing development and fight rent seeking mentality to ultimately address public concern.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said the renaissance journey over the last 15 years has laid a firm foundation for deepening the federal system and sustainable development that ensures fair resource distribution among citizens.

Briefing journalists on the current situation yesterday, the Premier said that the country has registered rapid economic growth with active public participation enabling citizens at all levels become beneficiaries which won international recognition.

He said the nation has been able to extricate 20 million people from the abject poverty over the last 15 years. The country has also moved forward in attaining MDGs and enabling 30 million citizens enroll in educational facilities.

However, Hailemariam said in a country where 20 million people are under poverty line, the unrest in some parts of the country is not a big deal.

Though the government has come a long way in creating millions of jobs for citizens, there are still many more job seekers who are misguided and manipulated by some anti-development forces bent on destabilizing the country , he said.

Considering the concern of the youth, the Premier said besides the clear direction put in the GTP II, the government has already revised the youth package in a way to actively engage and benefit the youth in the development of the country.

He said the recent unrest is because of the unmet pace of the government’s response and the ever increasing public demand.
During the previous renewal, the EPRDF Council has envisioned to create demanding active and duty bound citizens, he said, adding this has already happened.

Talking about the recent EPRDF Council meeting, the Premier said it has reviewed the last 15-year renaissance journey and reached consensus to look inwards to address the basic problems that caused the unrest and violence in some parts of the country.
Hailemariam said of all the issues , the Council has singled out attitudinal and capacity limitation among the leadership as threat in moving forward in all spheres.

The Council has put it in a strong term on the part of the leadership, he said serving the public thereby ensuring social change has been the tradition of EPRDF. On the contrary, the tendency of changing public authority for personal gain has been witnessed, he noted.
Hailemariam said the government continues to engage the public to sustain ongoing development and fight rent seeking mentality to ultimately address public concern.

It is not alien for the EPRDF to go through challenging situations and is still capable of addressing problems with scientific approach, the Premier said.

Regarding border dispute among states, Hailemariam said this emanates from respective state administrations delay in responding to the issue and reaffirmed it would be solved urgently in accordance with the Constitution.

According to the Premier , more to the recognized concerns, some anti peace and development elements are manipulating the youth for their destructive agenda. As the government is responsible to ensure the country’s peace and stability and also protect its citizens from any possible threat , it would take appropriate measures against these groups, he noted.

As per the decision passed by the EPRDF Council, reforms would be taken on the leadership , further strengthening democratic institutions and intensifying corruption battle in a way to address public concerns, Hailemariam said.

The Premier also called on families and the public to advise the youth to refrain from such destructive activities that led them to pay worthless sacrifice. The youth also need to present their demand peacefully to the concerned organs, he noted.

(Hailegebriel Biniyam, The Ethiopian Herald)

State Minister Ambassador Taye received credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr Bengt van Loosdrecht on Thursday (August 25, 2016).

Discussions focused on strengthening friendship and bilateral ties between the two countries as well as cementing multi-lateral cooperation in far-flung frontiers. The discussions also focused on widening and enhancing partnerships in areas including trade, investment, migration, floriculture and horticulture, food processing and development cooperation among others.

Wishing a vibrant diplomatic tenure for the new Ambassador, State Minister Ambassador Taye emphasized that the historic, long–standing and excellent ties between the two countries have expanded more recently.

The State Minister commended the engagement of the Netherlands in Ethiopia’s development sector. Underling on the need to further strengthen consultation and cooperation, State Minister Taye said the two countries will work more closely in the years to come.

Mr Bengt van Loosdrecht on his part praised Ethiopia’s active role in the development and diplomatic arena. The Ambassador said the Netherlands is keen to work closely with Ethiopia in areas of trade, development, and migration along with other cooperation in multi-lateral fora.

The Ambassador said Ethiopia and the Netherlands have a lot to exchange and work together in economic, social and political spheres. Ethiopia is due to host the next political consultation, it was learnt.

Currently, there are about 130 Dutch companies in Ethiopia, like Heineken, a company with considerable investments in the country. (Source: MFA Ethiopia)

State Minister Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie gave briefings to Ambassadors from Europe and the Americas on current situations in the country, particularly on the recent protests that occurred since mid-July in parts of Amhara and Oromiya Regional States at the Ministry hall on Tuesday (August 22, 2016).

Ambassador Taye shared detailed accounts on the situation of recent incidents, the causes and the cautious efforts undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia to manage the situation.

The State Minister also mentioned the immediate cause of the first protest that instigated the disturbance in Amhara Regional State at the end of the month of July and the beginning of August. By and large, State Minister Taye, said in both the Amhara and Oromia regional states, the demonstrations were made without the appropriate permission of the respective regional authorities.

The State Minister indicated though the messages and slogans were unconstitutional in nature, the demonstrations were peaceful at the beginning, but later turned violent. He mentioned the clashes between the demonstrators and law enforcing bodies in various instances caused casualties which led to the loss of life and destruction of properties where in the government decided to contain it.

The demonstrations were funneled by the satellite and social media operated by destructive forces from afar. Concerning the recent protests in Oromia region, State Minister Ambassador Taye said, although the previous unrest in Oromia Regional State was alluded to the Addis-Oromia Special Zones’ Joint Master Plan, violence continued even after the regional government had abandoned the Master Plan. The State Minister said this is a proof that the unrest that followed had nothing to do with the Master Plan.

State Minister Taye Astke-Selassie further elaborated the situation saying there were actually subjective and objective reasons for the protests, which he said were legitimate concerns that include enormous lack of good governance and failure to cater public concerns as quickly as possible, questions related to creating consensus and awareness with regard to federal constitutional arrangements, lack of employment opportunities, and also lack of service delivery which has been created due to the wide expectations the development has brought about.

Amid these conditions, he said, the concerns of the demonstrations were manipulated by those waiting quietly to further their extremist agenda. Ambassador Taye further shared updates about the on-going government efforts in response to the situations. He said the government is conducting a series of discussions and intensive engagement with various segments of the population, youth, rural community, religious community, political parties and others.

He further noted lessons will be learned from the situations, adding: “it’s a period of awakening from the Ethiopian polite” to peruse the country’s transformations in an upgraded momentum. The State Minister underlined the public is showing concern to put issues on the table and solve them through legitimate channel via debates and discussions. (MFA)

Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held consultative meeting with co-hosts of Leaders Summit on Refugees which would be held on September 20 on the margins of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Taye Atske-selassie noted, Ethiopia as the leading host for refugees in the continent  is doing its best to make refugees part of the sustainable development program in the country.

According to Ambassador Taye Ethiopia has finalized a proposal that is expected to make a significant number of refugee beneficiaries by generating job opportunities, and providing access to education and enrollment packages, health services, vocational trainings, etc.

Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Representative of the UNHCR, noted her office was working closely with the government of Ethiopia to improve the living conditions of refugees by embarking on sound policies and strategies.

She said the LSR would galvanize significant new global commitments to increase funding to humanitarian appeals.

US Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia Haslach on her part said the U.S. government looks forward to continue fostering partnership and commitment with Ethiopian government regarding refugee issues.

Two weeks ago, the US Embassy in Ethiopia announced: “the importance of Ethiopia as a key player in responding to refugee needs is highlighted by the fact that Ethiopia will serve as one of 7 co-hosts for President Obama’s Leaders Summit on Refugees.”

The Leaders summit is said create platforms to urge countries admit more refugees through resettlement or other legal pathways and increase refugees’ self-reliance and inclusion through opportunities for education and legal work. (MFA)

State Minister Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie met the Special Envoy for the Minster of Finland at the Foreign Affairs, Mr Pekka Olavi Haavisto on Monday (August 22, 2016). On the occasion, State Minister Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie emphasized that Ethiopia was dedicated to strengthen and deepen its strategic partnership and cooperation with Finland for the benefit of the welfare of the peoples of both countries.

The State Minister has also briefed the Special Envoy on current situations in Ethiopia, more specifically on the recent protests in some parts of Amhara and Oromia regional states. Ambassador Taye explained that the very basic development in Ethiopia has created a number of people to be demanding and aspire for a lot more inclusive development, adding: “We will certainly but slowly be there”.

Ambassador Taye has also related updates on regional peace and security issues concerning Somalia and South Sudan. He stressed that Ethiopia would continue to play a major role in promoting and finding ways for dialogue, negotiation and cooperation to restore peace and promoting reconciliation in South Sudan. Ambassador Taye assured the Special Envoy that Ethiopia was ready to join hands with Finland and other friendly nations to develop peace and security in the region.

Special Envoy for the Minster of Finland at the Foreign Affairs Mr Pekka Olavi Haavisto on his part appreciated Ethiopia’s role in the maintenance of regional peace and security. He also applauded the country’s commitment to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Finland.

He further said Finland would like to broaden its cooperation with Ethiopia on issues of development and regional peace and security. (MFA)

The fourth year memorial service of the great leader Meles Zenawi was held today (August 20, 2016).

During a memorial service held this morning at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, in Addis Ababa, prayers, candlelight vigils and wreath laying ceremony was  held in the presence of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, regional state officials, ambassadors and religious leaders as well as representatives of various organizations.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn laid a wreath of flowers in memory of the great leader Meles Zenawi. (MFA)

The Peace and Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in collaboration with the United Nations and the African Union organized a three-day workshop, which aimed at offering capacity building packages to the Ethiopian United Nations Security Council Team (UNSC) on Monday (August 15, 2016). The three day workshop was held under the theme: “United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Affairs For Ethiopian United Nations Security Council Team (UNSC).”

In his opening remarks, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Taye Atske-selassie, stressed that the workshop would be a great opportunity to enhance the capability and knowledge of Ethiopian diplomats as far as the United Nations Security Council operation is concerned and other state of affairs related with the United Nations.

The State Minister further said participants of the workshop would be able to investigate the contemporary peace and security challenges and thereby meet the Ministry’s demands.

This would enable the Ethiopian UNSC team to efficiently contribute more to the country’s undertakings throughout its term at the United Nations, he added. (MFA)

Ethiopian Ambassadors visited one of IPDC’s (Industrial Parks Development Corporation) flagship project, Hawassa Industrial park, located 275 kms from Addis Ababa on Sunday (August 14). The Hawassa industrial park which would function with zero waste discharge system was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn. The Ambassadors noted HIP showcased the government’s determined move to make Ethiopia the hub of light Manufacturing industries in Africa. Centered on textile and garment products, and fully integrated to the city, HIP is Ethiopia’s first major eco-friendly development.

On the occasion organizers of the visit noted the Government of Ethiopia is improving Hawassa’s connectivity through the extension of the Addis-Adama highway to Hawassa, the construction of a domestic airport, and the extension of the Addis – Modjo – Djibouti railway to Hawassa. The park has already embraced 15 leading global apparel and textile companies. They also noted that six local companies are ready to start operation in the park.

Earlier on Sunday, at the conference on “Diaspora Engagement in SNNPR” the President of Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ato Dessie Dalkie said Ethiopia in general and the region in particular offers a comprehensive set of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage investment. The top-notch Hawassa Industrial Project is constructed by renowned Chinese Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and completed in just nine months. (MFA)