Next, Ethiopia’s tourism industry has been pummeled in recent years by the pandemic and a civil war. Although the conflict ended last November, Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam writes travel executives are having a difficult time convincing foreign governments and tour operators that Ethiopia is a safe destination. Chapman stated that tour groups, which he expects to start returning by the end of the year, represent big business for Ethiopia’s hotels. An Ethiopian official said the country’s tourism industry lost $2 billion due to the war and the pandemic. Habtemariam notes one major obstacle in Ethiopia’s tourism recovery are travel warnings issued by Western governments, including by those of the U.S. and UK.

Source: Ethiopian News January 30, 2023 22:48 UTC