How to Promote Ecotourism in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian flag honors the diversity and unity of the country.

Ecotourism is a fast-growing form of travel that encourages showing appreciation of and respect for a destination's environment and geography, as well as the culture and history of the people that live on the land. The promotion of ecotourism in Ethiopia thus focuses on environmental and cultural preservation. As tourism develops, more parts of Ethiopia will become accessible to both residents and tourists, making this a key period of ecotourism cultivation.

Instructions

1. Become familiar with the environment and history of Ethiopia. Find the aspects to which you are especially drawn, and investigate fully. Ethiopia is an incredibly ecologically diverse country, home to many endemic species and a wide range of habitats, from desert to tropical forests. Trace the Afromontane Archipelago through the Ethiopian Highlands, which run the length of the country. Lake Tana, an especially wildlife-enrichened area, is also the source of the Blue Nile. Environmental concerns, as in most other parts of the world, include species endangerment and deforestation. The country is also home to over eighty indigenous languages, with strong cultural ties. The ecotourism industry provides a tremendous opportunity to assist and support communities, promote Ethiopia's cultural heritage, and restore environmental resources.

2. Identify your role. What sort of "customer" are you? Do you seek a luxury tour experience or would you be fine with backpacking and camping? Are you a student of archeology, geology, biology or ethnography? Are you a foreigner, or a traveler of Ethiopian descent returning to visit family members and places where your ancestors lived? Or perhaps you are on the other end of the tourism trade, a business person or community member looking to start or further develop ecotourist ventures in your area. Only once you understand your role is it possible determine what you can do to participate in or promote ecotourism in Ethiopia.

3. Support existing ecotourism in Ethiopia. If you are a traveler, take the time to carefully plan your trip. With your goals in mind, determine lodging that would be a good fit. Staying at eco-lodges are a great option because of their commitment to environmental causes; each eco-lodge likewise carries its own, unique flavor. For example, the Bishengari eco-lodge is also part of a wildlife sanctuary and ancient forest.

4. Determine if you plan to stay in one location or visit many. Your specific interests will be especially crucial in this planning phase. If you are not phased by the idea of traveling independently throughout a foreign country, find an area you are interested in, book your travel and lodging, and just go explore! Those preferring the structure and security of traveling in groups might be interested in organized eco-tours, of which there are many. Themes include general tours with an "eco" focus, or tours with a specific purpose, such as birdwatching, historic or coffee tours. These tours are recommended even for slightly independent travelers, as they not only can provide you with special access to great locations and highly informed guides, but they also enable you to directly support an eco-touring outfit.

5. Nourish new sustainable tourism developments. Fields for such cultivation include making mountains more accessible to climbers, adding visiting facilities near lakes for tourists, developing maps and building visitor centers for national parks, improving trail quality, conserving lands around churches and monasteries that have preserved a wide range of flora and fauna, and working to protect but also promote cave and rock art. Supporting existing walking tours and historic, cultural and even religious routes further offers new avenues for tourism that promotes environmental and cultural harmony.

References

• Ecotourism Association of Ethiopia
• Irob Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Brotherhood
• Ecotourism at Wenchi Crater Lake