THE STATUS OF TOURIST GUIDES AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT IN AND AROUND THE CITY GONDAR SINCE 1991.

Abstract

The economy of Ethiopia has prospered for many years on agricultural products. In recent years, however, the country expands its industrialization and service providing in order to gain further incomes. Tourism is an important strategy of socio-economic development for countries which have rich historical, religious and socio cultural sites. Ethiopia is rich in multidimensional heritages. The main attractions tend to be of a historical and religious nature. The city of Gondar which formerly served as the capital of medieval Ethiopia holds the vestiges of numerous royal castles, including those in Fasil Gebbi, and other ancient churches attracting tourists from different parts of the world. Gondar also serves as a spring board for tourists who have vested interests to visit mount Ras Dashen of Ethiopia and others. The main objective of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of challenges and prospects of tourist Guides in and around the city of Gondar and historical development of tourist guide in the study area, with particular reference to the opportunities and challenges that the industry faces in order to provide future direction for sustainable tourism and community development to the country. The study is analyzed using qualitative method of data collection. The sample includes key informants from tourist guide centers in the city of Gondar and some other local community members and foreign tourists. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used in addition to review of secondary sources. The results of this study show that the Gondar city administration tried to manage and preserve heritage sites in and around the city of Gondar. However, it is identified that almost all heritage site are in danger of ruin. In any country which needs sustainable development of tourist industry, there should be tourist guides’ controlling mechanism. One of these mechanisms should be licensing and relicensing of tourist guides by putting standards to qualify as a tourist guide through short or long training strategies.