Tourism Resources of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: Conceptualization, Assessment and Inventory

Presenter's country

Ethiopia

Start Date

27-5-2016 11:25 AM

End Date

27-5-2016 12:30 PM

Location

Hall I

Submission type

Presentation

Abstract

Bale Zone is endowed with diversified potential tourism resources. But, the resources were not clear assessed, conceptualized and identified. Therefore, this study focused on conceptualization and assessment and inventory the identified potential tourism resources of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. In the study, mixed research approach and descriptive research design was used. Local communities, staff of culture and tourism offices of Bale Zone and woredas, NGO’s, destination managers, staffs of agriculture and administration offices of Bale Zone were subjects of the study.Datawere collected via questionnaires, interviews, and FGD and field observation with the application of GPS. Using Purposive sampling techniques, 150 samples were selected; four FGDs were held and 51 key informants were selected depending on the endowments of potential tourism resources. The quantitative data were analyzed via SPSS v16 and qualitative data were analyzed via content analysis. The result revealed that the zone is bestowed with spectacular scenery such as BMNP scenic beauty, Wabe Shebele and Gasera gorges, Konodria standing stone, Sof Umar, Welmel waterfalls and endemic plant, animal, and bird species. Tangible and intangible cultural and historical tourism resources such as, Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine, Oda Roba, Madawalabu and Oda Jila historical place are the major resources of Bale. However, Bale is limited potentials in terms of tourism infrastructural facilities and services. Financial and human resource incapacity, inaccessibility and less community awareness were the major problems identified in the study. Since, Bale has tourism potentials and to exploit its tourism potentialities, there should be development package.

Keywords

Bale Zone, Assessment, Identification, Inventory and Tourism Resources

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May 27th, 11:25 AM May 27th, 12:30 PM

Tourism Resources of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: Conceptualization, Assessment and Inventory

Hall I

Bale Zone is endowed with diversified potential tourism resources. But, the resources were not clear assessed, conceptualized and identified. Therefore, this study focused on conceptualization and assessment and inventory the identified potential tourism resources of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. In the study, mixed research approach and descriptive research design was used. Local communities, staff of culture and tourism offices of Bale Zone and woredas, NGO’s, destination managers, staffs of agriculture and administration offices of Bale Zone were subjects of the study.Datawere collected via questionnaires, interviews, and FGD and field observation with the application of GPS. Using Purposive sampling techniques, 150 samples were selected; four FGDs were held and 51 key informants were selected depending on the endowments of potential tourism resources. The quantitative data were analyzed via SPSS v16 and qualitative data were analyzed via content analysis. The result revealed that the zone is bestowed with spectacular scenery such as BMNP scenic beauty, Wabe Shebele and Gasera gorges, Konodria standing stone, Sof Umar, Welmel waterfalls and endemic plant, animal, and bird species. Tangible and intangible cultural and historical tourism resources such as, Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine, Oda Roba, Madawalabu and Oda Jila historical place are the major resources of Bale. However, Bale is limited potentials in terms of tourism infrastructural facilities and services. Financial and human resource incapacity, inaccessibility and less community awareness were the major problems identified in the study. Since, Bale has tourism potentials and to exploit its tourism potentialities, there should be development package.