Challenges and Future Perspectives for Tourism Development in The Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Abstract

Summary This research studied the CRV tourism industry as part of the project 'Ecosystems for water, food and economic development in the Central Rift Valley' (CRV) and the Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Network (HoA-REN). This study aims to answer the following research question: What are the potentials, challenges and future perspectives of tourism developments in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia? As part of the future perspective scenarios for tourism development are given. Scenarios are especially meant to shape the vision of the working group on tourism in the CRV. Fieldwork is done in the CRV for three months from September 2007 to December 2007. The research area covers the area between Addis Ababa and the far south where pastoralist communities live. The research area lies in a valley which contains four lakes, namely: Ziway, Abijata, Shalla, Langano and Awassa. The proposition behind this study is that tourism development may improve to the socio-economic and ecological situation in the CRV. This research used various methods for collecting data. Interviews, observations, informal conversations, participatory methods, secondary sources and group interviews. Secondary sources are reports and media articles. Tourism does not have one owner. Many stakeholders are influencing or affected by CRV’s tourism industry. Organisations, foundations, authorities, governmental departments, tour operators, hotels and restaurants are central in this research as stakeholders of the CRV tourism industry. In addition, tourists, tour guides, Ethiopians and local communities cooperate during fieldwork. The respondents represents tourism stakeholders from the public, private and nonprofit sector. The structure of this report as follows: firstly the tourism potential of the CRV is described. Secondly problems and challenges are described. Finally, scenarios and future perspectives of tourism development are illustrated, explained and discussed. The CRV does have tourism potential, mostly natural attractions. Current CRV tourism attractions are landscape aesthetics, mammals, birds and natural attractions as hot springs and lakes. Those are features of the CRV which are already visited on a regular basis. CRV does contain some potential historical, cultural and man-made attractions. Most of them are under- or even undeveloped. Both international and domestic tourists are regular visitors in the CRV. International tourists visit the CRV on their way to the traditional tourists destination north and south of the CRV, namely Addis Ababa, the historic northern route and the pastoralist communities in the far south. CRV’s position in the Ethiopian tourism industry dependents on these estinations. The CRV is mostly used as a transit area. The CRV has experienced some developments which are in favour of its potential, such as infrastructural developments. In addition, stakeholders in the Ethiopian and CRV tourism industry are in favour of tourism development. Ethiopia is a relatively small tourism destination worldwide, which gives the possibility to grow in terms of tourist arrivals. The CRV might benefit from this, although the CRV will most likely remain a niche market. Tourism is defined as it includes many geographic, economic, environmental, social, cultural and political dimensions. CRV’s tourism industry does show all these dimensions, of which some are critical and challenging the sustainability and even the continuity of it. Various challenges are identified in this study. Social and cultural challenges are related to the host-tourist relationship, willingness to receive tourist and a growing sex-tourism industry. The host-tourist relationship is problematic due to misunderstandings and misperceptions. As a result, tourists are approached by local communities by begging, aggressive arguments and in some cases highly unwelcomed. This challenges the hospitable identity of Ethiopia, causing negative visitor experiences. However, the willingness to receive tourists is positive, but in any case related to direct benefits. Especially rural communities do expect a wide ranch of benefits which contributes to their own development and survival strategies. A growing sex-tourism industry, of which children are becoming part, causes serious concerns from a humanitarian perspective. Other major challenges are related to the poor image, marketing, human capacities, and environmental concerns. These challenges do exceed the borders and control of CRV’s tourism industry, but do have a significant impact on it. Ethiopia’s poor image abroad seems to function as an obstacle to attract more international tourists leaving CRV’s tourism industry as an insignificant market in Ethiopia’s tourism industry. Promotion and marketing strategies are lacking in the CRV. None of the stakeholders involved seems to be able to carry out a marketing strategy, although it is essential to a tourist destination. Human capacities are lacking all over the CRV. Tourism expertise can be found in Addis Ababa or abroad, not benefiting CRV’s tourism industry in terms of programming, planning or marketing for example. Intention to improve tourism knowledge in the CRV are limited as well. Tourism knowledge is unconnected, while a network of tourism knowledge and experience would benefit underdeveloped tourist destinations as the CRV. Environmental concerns are seriously challenging the CRV. Conservation is in practice exploitation of designated natural areas. Natural areas do have significant management problems caused by a lack of planning, human and financial capacities. Locals rely heavily on natural resources, causing over-exploitation. As a result, many natural areas are subjected to degradation challenging the natural attractiveness and consequently its tourism potential. Developing a natural attraction as a tourism product needs serious management. Special attention should be given to the relationship between water resources and tourism in the CRV. Already the CRV is affected by overcommitted water resources by agriculture, industries and households. Water consumption by these sectors together caused serious natural degradation in many natural areas. Introducing another water dependent industry as tourism would mean a significant negative impact on the available water resources. Tourism demand a significant amount of water. Based on 10.000 tourists with an average stay of two nights, tourists would consume 8.800.000 litres per annum, including all aspects of tourism industry’s consumption (see: Chapter 4). Challenges exceeds the tourism industry, since other industries as agriculture and horticulture do demand water as well. Water consumption is a critical challenges when tourism would grow. This study showed that smallholders, which are relatively the biggest water consumers, are not likely to give up their agriculture since they perceive tourism as an additional income generating strategy rather than alternative. An integrated program on water resources is necessary in the CRV. Tourism could be part of this program, but it should have consequences for water consumption of other sectors. Other major challenges are related to the institutional structures behind CRV’s tourism industry. Rules, regulations, contracts, leaderships, partnerships and expectations of stakeholder are in reality contradicting the whish to develop CRV sustainably. Rules and regulations are in place, but not implemented consequently. Conditions in contracts do show similarities to this. As such, the legislative environment of CRV’s tourism industry is non-obligatory to its stakeholders, and non supportive as well. Leadership is centralised in Addis Ababa making it difficult to address local concerns and interests in tourism planning and decision making processes. Partnerships are needed in CRV’s tourism industry and initiated to some extend, but not succesfull due to conflicting agendas and concepts. Although every stakeholder is in favour of tourism development, expectations among them differ strongly. The public sector is centralised and face challenges on power allocations among the regional and local governmental bodies. The non-profit sector is concept focussed rather than structural change focussed. Private sector is a powerful force in CRV’s tourism industry which is looking for clear guidelines and supportive environment. Locals do expect direct benefits from tourism which would contribute to their development and survival strategies. Common sense building among stakeholders is important, especially knowing the challenges the CRV’s tourism industry is facing. Theoretically tourism could improve the socio-economic and ecological situation in the CRV, but it might increase mentioned problems and challenges when interventions are not initiated. As such, a future perspective seems to be pessimistic. But, this study established four scenarios which could incorporate tourism as a development strategy. It could make tourism a ‘smokeless’ industry and even contribute to sustainable development. Scenarios are distracted from the potentials, problems and challenges. A combination of contradicting extremes in both variables gives potential scenarios. In institutionalisation centralised leadership is placed opposite to decentralised leadership. Concerning development ideology, sustainability is placed opposite to economic development. Scenario (1) represents the macro-economic approach. Economic development is initiated and executed by centralised governmental leadership together with a group of (inter)national tourism stakeholders. Scenario (2) represents a Sustainable Tourism network. International and domestic stakeholders together define tourism development. Sustainability is a focal point here. Power in terms of human and financial capacity is allocated among international non-profit organisations and international research institutes. Scenario (3) describes an ideology of economic development on a regional level. Regional and local authorities are defining and managing tourism development in the CRV. Finally, scenario (4) is a comprehensive approach of all stakeholders and sustainability issues. Tourism development is a result of consulting each stakeholder involved on a local and regional level. All interest groups are involved. Tourism development is the outcome of negotiations, consultations and deliberations between the various stakeholders on a local, regional and national level. In each scenario the role of governments is essential. Each scenario does face the challenges mentioned in this study, but differ in their approach and priorities. Management and planning ideologies are the most important factors determining the continuity and sustainability of CRV’s tourism industry. The scenarios have their constraints and advantages in the situation of CRV’s tourism industry. Sustainability principles are needed in CRV’s tourism planning. To incorporate these principles changes in ideology and management are needed. Power, capacities and partnerships are driving forces behind this. Whatever tourism development strategy chosen, these driving forces has to be taken into account. It was not the intention of this study to dictate one scenario or tourism development program. All four scenarios are imaginable strategies for tourism development. Among CRV’s tourism stakeholders discussions can be started in order to come up with a constructive strategy for tourism development planning in the CRV.