Review on Potentials Resources and Challenges for Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia

Habib Bati Geda

doi:10.7176/jths/49-01

Abstract

Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improves the well-being of local community. Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is a form of ecotourism in which the community has substantial control over it, and the majority of the benefits remain in the community . Ethiopia is a country having enormous potential of ecotourism resource including cultural, historical, archaeological and natural resources which are ideal for the development of sustainable community-based ecotourism projects. There are some community-based ecotourism initiatives in different parts of the country such as Adaba -Dodola, Semen Mountains National Park, Wonchi Crater Lake and Adwa. The objective of this review paper was to examine the challenges and potentials for Community Based Ecotourism development in Ethiopia. The findings from this review showed that, Lack of cooperation among stakeholders conflicts of interest over resource usage and a severe lack of trained manpower in tourism professions as being the major obstacles that hinders community-based ecotourism development in Ethiopia. Keywords: Challenges, Potentials, community-based ecotourism, Ethiopia. DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/49-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Highlights

Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is a form of ecotourism in which the community has substantial control over it, and the majority of the benefits remain in the community
Conflict of interest over resource usage Conflict is the major challenge for developing community-based ecotourism, in Ethiopia, for instance in the Awash Park area
Lack of awareness and limited participation In developing countries like Ethiopia, Lack of awareness and experience of local community, limit the understanding of potential impacts of tourism development, lack of awareness and experience may hesitate community capacity to benefit from tourism development opportunities.Community based ecotourism development encourages a local community’s participation and they benefit in sharing activities, and enhance their understanding about the natural and cultural resource conservation initiatives

Summary

Introduction

In line with this, ( IUCN, 1994) defined the term ecotourism as an environmentally responsible travel and visitation to natural places, to experience and admire nature (and any related cultural features, both ancient and contemporary) which encourage conservation, and have a minimal visitor impact and provide active socio-economic involvement of local peoples, leading to their regional sustainability enhancement. Objectives of the review To identify the potential resources for community-based ecotourism development in Ethiopia.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion