Eco-Lodges and Tourist Infrastructure Development in and Around Abijata Shalla Lakes National Park; From the Perspective of Evaluating their Sustainability

Zerubabel Worku ,Tsion Mohammed

doi:10.7176/jths/45-02

Abstract

We tried to identify Ecolodges and other tourist infrastructures in and around Abijata Shalla Lakes National Park, the central part of Ethiopian great rift valley and evaluate their sustainability based on ecological, social and economic efficiency. The study was conducted on April 2017 using both qualitative and quantitative information sources in which the data is gathered by direct observation, secondary data from a wide range of sources within the current literatures on the topic and an in-depth interview. The collected data then analyzed and interpreted by descriptive and explanatory methods of analysis to come up with results and discussions. A total of fifteen lodges were recorded in the area, of which two of them are located inside the park while thirteen of the lodges are located outside the park. However, the survey is conducted only on eight active/functioning lodges at the time of data collection only focusing on operational phase excluding the pre-development and the construction phase. All the surveyed lodges are within 22kms radius, except one lodge which is found in 82km away from the head quarter of the park. Six of the lodges can be reached with only three kilo-meters off road driving while the rest two are in 14 and 17kms off road driving. In staffing, 94.8% of the employees are local peoples while only 5.2% of them are from other places. Electricity is the major energy source, generator is used as a backup, candles are often used for different purposes and one lodges uses solar energy. Public water is a source for a clean water supply and water from the lakes with chemical treatment, but one lodge uses ground water in addition to public and lake water. All lodges have septic tank for waste treatment and none of the lodges recycle. Generating optional energy is recommendable through proper utilization of resources by recycling as it plays a great role and is basic principle in sustainability. Keywords: Ecological, Economic Social, Sustainable, Tourism DOI : 10.7176/JTHS/45-02 Publication date: December 31 st 2019

Highlights

Tourism is the sum of the phenomena and relationship arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, in so far, they don’t lead permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity (UNWTO 2011)
The research basically focuses on assessment of the eco-lodges and tourist infrastructure developments that are in and around Abijata shalla lakes national park (ASLNP) and it tries to evaluate the development of destinations from being in line with one of the basic principle of ecotourism; sustainability
In addition to the lodges listed below; two lodges near to Sabana beach resort, another two lodges near langano lodge and one lodge near to borati resort in an approximately 9km, 12km and 14km from the park head quarter which are under construction are not included in the analysis

Summary

Introduction

Tourism is the sum of the phenomena and relationship arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, in so far, they don’t lead permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity (UNWTO 2011). Since the 1980s, ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working definition of ecotourism. Ecotourism, is a niche market in the large tourism business, is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small-scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. It means responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people (TIES, 2004)

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