Ministry Ready to Provide Efficient, Quality Services for Tourists Coming to Ethiopia this SeasonAdwa Zero Km Project Pivotal for Research, Preserve History: Scholars

Ministry of Tourism has announced today its readiness to welcome and provide adequate services for tourists who come to the country this tourist peak season, State Minister Sileshi Girma told ENA. According to him, the period from September to January is a peak season of tourist flow in Ethiopia as many come to celebrate Ethiopian Christmas and Epiphany. Tourists from Europe and USA, including the Ethiopian Diaspora, come in large number to celebrate religious and cultural holidays. Sileshi stated that the ministry, in collaboration with the pertinent bodies including Ethiopian Airlines, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hotel owners, tour operators, among others, is ready to provide efficient services for the expected tourists. Agreement has been made with Ethiopian Airlines to provide 24 hours flights services for tourists who will travel to Lalibela to attend the celebration of Ethiopian Christmas. 'We have also built tourist information center at the airports to create a platform that enables tourists to get reliable information.' The upcoming 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State scheduled to take place from 14-18 February 2024 will also create a big opportunity as part of conference tourism, he noted. Visiting packages are prepared for session participants and their family to enable them visit Addis Ababa tourism destinations and nearby areas, it was learned. He further elaborated that the ministry would give special attention to African tourists by providing best hospitality for AU meeting participants. The ministry has provided refreshment training for tourism service providers so as to enable them provide efficient and quality service, Sileshi stated. The state minister also disclosed that tourist sites closed in Tigray region are now open and safe for visitors. Ethiopia has 15 UNESCO registered heritages, of which 11 are tangible and 4 intangible heritages. Source: Ethiopian News Agency Scholars drawn from different faculties of Addis Ababa University acclaimed that under-completion is critical for research and preserving history. The project, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the country, has multipurpose units including the meeting hall for the city administration council, Adwa Memorial Museum, an amphitheater, libraries and youth centers. As the victory of Adwa is considered as motivation for Africans to struggle for freedom and liberation from the colonialists, Adwa Zero Km Project is also believed to serve as a platform to further expedite the spirit of Pan-Africanism which is critical to strengthen unity among all Africans. Addis Ababa University (AAU) Archeology Faculty Head, Worku Derara said the Adwa victory is the pride of all Africans and the museum can serve as a good platform for research besides preserving history for the next generation. He added that it will also have positive impact in boosting tourist flow to the country. Worku noted that AAU archeologists ca n contribute a lot by providing their expertise in organizing the museum. Political Science Lecturer at AAU, Bayulign Zemedagegnuh said on his part that the government's effort in making the Adwa victory be commemorated along generations is encouraging. The role of scholars towards succeeding the ongoing effort is of paramount, he said, adding that the have national vested responsibility in conducting research and shaping the generation. Adwa is one of the essences that embolden unity, he stated, and added that pertinent stakeholders need to engage in bring the people closer. Source: Ethiopian News Agency