Ethiopia's rich tapestry of natural wonders and geological significance has caught the discerning eye of UNESCO, which has identified between 10 and 20 protected sites with significant potential for tourism development. The announcement came during a collaborative workshop in Addis Ababa, co-organized by the Ministry of Tourism and UNESCO, focusing on the pivotal role of UNESCO Global Geoparks and geotourism in fostering sustainable development.
The high-level workshop served as a platform to explore and strategize the optimal utilization of Ethiopia's diverse tourism assets. According to UNESCO's Senior Programme Specialist, Özlem Adıyaman, Ethiopia boasts unique indigenous resources ideally suited for the burgeoning field of geotourism, which emphasizes the natural landscapes and geological heritage of a region.
Adıyaman highlighted Ethiopia's considerable national and continental tourism capacity, particularly within nature-based tourism and its network of protected areas, emphasizing the potential for substantial job creation. She underscored the critical role of UNESCO-designated protected sites in safeguarding Earth's invaluable natural heritage while simultaneously promoting sustainable practices.
While acknowledging UNESCO's global benchmarks for geotourism resources, Adıyaman also noted that nations possess the autonomy to designate their own culturally and naturally significant sites. She further distinguished Ethiopia by its exceptional wealth of both tangible and intangible cultural treasures, setting it apart from many other African nations.
"Ethiopia is the cradle of humankind," Adıyaman asserted, emphasizing the nation's profound natural and cultural endowment. "It is the birthplace of our world, a living testament to its formation, holding within its landscapes the very history of Earth's creation."
Revealing a significant finding, Adıyaman disclosed that UNESCO has pinpointed 10 to 20 specific protected sites across Ethiopia, including intricate cave systems, as prime candidates for tourism development. This selection underscores the immense untapped potential within Ethiopia's tourism sector.
Reaffirming its commitment to Ethiopia's growth in this area, UNESCO pledged its unwavering support for the nation's ongoing efforts, as outlined in its national policy framework, to develop these protected sites and invigorate its tourism industry. This collaboration signals a promising future for sustainable tourism development in Ethiopia, leveraging its unique natural and cultural heritage on the global stage, ENA learned.