ethiopia targets massive boom in tourist arrivals _ east & horn africa

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3/30/2016 Ethiopia targets massive boom in tourist arrivals | East & Horn Africa http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopia-targets-massive-boom-in-tourist-arrivals.html 1/3 NEWS EAST & HORN AFRICA ETHIOPIA TARGETS MASSIVE BOOM IN TOURIST ARRIVALS WED, 30 MAR 2016 FILE PHOTO©REUTERS This sector will generate foreign direct investment and foreign currency and create job opportunities Posted on Monday, 05 October 2015 11:20 Ethiopia targets massive boom in tourist arrivals Ethiopia aims to triple its number of foreign visitors to more than 2.5 million by 2020, making tourism a pillar of one of Africa's fastestgrowing economies. Buoyed by huge spending on infrastructure and an expansion of its services and agricultural sectors, Addis Ababa expects annual economic growth of around 11 percent for the next five years. Though lacking the palmfringed beaches and safari trails of neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, the Horn of Africa country boasts magnificent terrain and a fascinating imperial past. Visitor numbers have risen at least 10 percent a year for the past decade, albeit from a very low base. More than 750,000 tourists came during fiscal year 2014/2015, generating $2.9 billion for the economy, said Culture and Tourism Minister Amin Abdulkadir. "There is a lot of demand in terms of bookings and investment plans. Our target is to receive more than 2.5 million in five years time," he told Reuters in an interview. "This sector will generate foreign direct investment and foreign currency and create job opportunities, as well as contribute to imagebuilding." Hilton Worldwide Holdings signed a management deal on Wednesday to open its first hotel in Ethiopia in more than four decades, while subSaharan Africa's first Marriottbranded serviced apartments have also been unveiled in the capital. Sheraton, Radisson and Golden Tulip are among a handful of global groups already operating, and U.S. chain Best Western International Inc, France's AccorHotels and Ramada say they are also working on new projects. Ethiopia's target for 2020 looks modest, however, in comparison to that of Egypt, where 9.9 million tourists visited last year. "We are a peaceful and stable country. Plus, we have the right policies and strategies," said Amin. "It will not be long before we reach the levels of our neighbours." Tags: Ethiopia Hotels Infrastructure Tourism 3 276 Recommend TAR 79 April 2016 ON SALE NOW ! Contents Subscribe NEWS IN DEPTH BUSINESS POLITICS ART & LIFE RANKINGS COUNTRY FILES SERVICES Enter your keyword...

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Page 1: Ethiopia Targets Massive Boom in Tourist Arrivals _ East & Horn Africa

3/30/2016 Ethiopia targets massive boom in tourist arrivals | East & Horn Africa

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopia-targets-massive-boom-in-tourist-arrivals.html 1/3

NEWS EAST & HORN AFRICA ETHIOPIA TARGETS MASSIVE BOOM IN TOURIST ARRIVALS WED, 30 MAR 2016

FILE PHOTO©REUTERS

This sector will generate foreigndirect investment and foreigncurrency and create job

opportunities

Posted on Monday, 05 October 2015 11:20

Ethiopia targets massive boom in touristarrivals

Ethiopia  aims  to  triple  its

number  of  foreign  visitors  to

more than 2.5 million by 2020,

making tourism a pillar of one

of  Africa's  fastest­growing

economies.

Buoyed  by  huge  spending  on

infrastructure  and  an  expansion  of

its services and agricultural sectors,

Addis  Ababa  expects  annual

economic  growth  of  around  11

percent for the next five years.

Though lacking the palm­fringed beaches and safari

trails of neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, the Horn

of  Africa  country  boasts  magnificent  terrain  and  a

fascinating imperial past.

Visitor  numbers  have  risen  at  least  10  percent  a

year  for  the  past  decade,  albeit  from  a  very  low

base.

More than 750,000 tourists came during fiscal year 2014/2015, generating $2.9 billion for the economy, said Culture

and Tourism Minister Amin Abdulkadir.

"There is a lot of demand in terms of bookings and investment plans. Our target is to receive more than 2.5 million

in five years time," he told Reuters in an interview.

"This sector will generate  foreign direct  investment and  foreign currency and create  job opportunities, as well as

contribute to image­building."

Hilton Worldwide Holdings signed a management deal on Wednesday to open its first hotel in Ethiopia in more than

four decades, while sub­Saharan Africa's first Marriott­branded serviced apartments have also been unveiled in the

capital.

Sheraton, Radisson and Golden Tulip are among a handful of global groups already operating, and U.S. chain Best

Western International Inc, France's AccorHotels and Ramada say they are also working on new projects.

Ethiopia's target for 2020 looks modest, however, in comparison to that of Egypt, where 9.9 million tourists visited

last year.

"We are a peaceful and stable country. Plus, we have the right policies and strategies," said Amin. "It will not be

long before we reach the levels of our neighbours."

Tags:Ethiopia Hotels Infrastructure Tourism

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Page 2: Ethiopia Targets Massive Boom in Tourist Arrivals _ East & Horn Africa

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Page 3: Ethiopia Targets Massive Boom in Tourist Arrivals _ East & Horn Africa

3/30/2016 Ethiopia targets massive boom in tourist arrivals | East & Horn Africa

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