Challenges and Opportunities of Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia
Presenter's country
Ethiopia
Start Date
27-5-2016 11:25 AM
End Date
27-5-2016 12:30 PM
Location
Hall II
Submission type
Presentation
Abstract
Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is a specific form of ecotourism which is used to describe ecotourism ventures that are characterized by high environmental consideration, increased control and involvement of the local residents, as well as significant benefits for the host community. Ethiopia has a tremendous potential for ecotourism and there are some promising community based ecotourism initiatives in Adaba -Dodola, Semen Mountains National Park, Wonchi Crater Lake and Adwa. Hence, the objective of this review paper is to examine the challenges and opportunities for Community Based Ecotourism development in Ethiopia. By its methodological approach, this review is Narrative review since the reviewers summarized the findings of empirical researches which are done in different parts of Ethiopia from 2011-2015 regarding challenges and opportunities of Community Based Ecotourism and a total of 13 researches were reviewed. The findings from the review of different studies revealed poor ecotourism infrastructure and facilities (trekking pass, parking facilities, all weather roads, camping sites, clean water, electricity and health and other facilities) as the greatest challenge for community based ecotourism development in Ethiopia which was followed by conflict of interest over resource usage, lack of trained manpower, low marketing and promotion, and lack of cooperation among stakeholders. Moreover, the results from the review also identified the presence of abundant ecotourism resources, and enabling policy environments as the major opportunities for community based ecotourism development in Ethiopia. To sum up, Ethiopia could be one of the top community based ecotourism destinations in the world if the infrastructural, human resource, marketing and promotion, financial, resource use, awareness and participation constraints are resolved appropriately.
Keywords
challenges, opportunities, community based ecotourism
Challenges and Opportunities of Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia
Hall II
Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is a specific form of ecotourism which is used to describe ecotourism ventures that are characterized by high environmental consideration, increased control and involvement of the local residents, as well as significant benefits for the host community. Ethiopia has a tremendous potential for ecotourism and there are some promising community based ecotourism initiatives in Adaba -Dodola, Semen Mountains National Park, Wonchi Crater Lake and Adwa. Hence, the objective of this review paper is to examine the challenges and opportunities for Community Based Ecotourism development in Ethiopia. By its methodological approach, this review is Narrative review since the reviewers summarized the findings of empirical researches which are done in different parts of Ethiopia from 2011-2015 regarding challenges and opportunities of Community Based Ecotourism and a total of 13 researches were reviewed. The findings from the review of different studies revealed poor ecotourism infrastructure and facilities (trekking pass, parking facilities, all weather roads, camping sites, clean water, electricity and health and other facilities) as the greatest challenge for community based ecotourism development in Ethiopia which was followed by conflict of interest over resource usage, lack of trained manpower, low marketing and promotion, and lack of cooperation among stakeholders. Moreover, the results from the review also identified the presence of abundant ecotourism resources, and enabling policy environments as the major opportunities for community based ecotourism development in Ethiopia. To sum up, Ethiopia could be one of the top community based ecotourism destinations in the world if the infrastructural, human resource, marketing and promotion, financial, resource use, awareness and participation constraints are resolved appropriately.