Abstract
Assessing the potentials and drawback of tourist destination is the first step in tourism development of a particular site. Dirre Sheik Hussein is one of religious and cultural site of Ethiopia blessed with several cultural and natural tourist attraction resources. But, assessment of sits potentials and pitfalls are not carried out in the site so far. Therefore, this study is conducted to assess the potentials and pitfalls of Dirre Sheik Hussein in tourism development.To realize this objective the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.In this study both primary and secondary data sources have been used. Significant primary data was collected through interview, focus group discussion and direct observation. Both purposive and simple random sampling method also used to select informants. Finally, in data analyze process both qualitative and quantitative data analysis method has been used. Accordingly, the research result shows that Dirre Sheik Hussein site has both potentials and pitfalls in tourism development.
Highlights
Religious and cultural heritage-based tourism is one of the fastest growing kinds of travel and tourism industry
The major potentials of the site that are observed by the researchers in time of filed observation and in collaboration with the result of open-ended interviews with tourists are presented as follows
The richness of the site with different natural and cultural heritages and hospitability of host local community were some of the identified potentials of the site in tourism development
Summary
Religious and cultural heritage-based tourism is one of the fastest growing kinds of travel and tourism industry. Museum, historic place and festival of all kinds are attracting tourists in great number. Cultural and religious Heritage based Tourism is a tool of economic development that realizes economic growth through fascinating visitors to a particular site (Tables 1 and 2) [1.2]. Ethiopia is blessed with abundant natural and cultural tourist attraction heritage including its nine-world heritage site. In addition to its nine sites inscribed on the world heritage list, Ethiopia recorded five sites on its tentative list such as Bale mountain national park, Dirre Sheik Hussein religious, cultural and historical site (my study site), Sof-Umar natural cave, Gedeo mixed cultural and natural landscape and Melka-Kunture archaeological site [3,4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
