Perceptions of International Tourists on Safety and Security in Ethiopia

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Date

2019-06

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Publisher

Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Safety and security are crucial elements that affect the tourists choice of destination. Hence, ensuring the safety and security of international tourist`s possibly increases the number of tourists inflow. In fact, Ethiopia has a contradicted reports that, as one of the safest destination and number of tourist inflow still rises year after year on the othe rhand, recent case studies report show the countries tourist inflow decreases and it faced deforming image either from political turmoil or civil unrest. Therefore, this study Examine international tourists’ perception on safety and security at touristic area in Ethiopia. In particular, the study aims to assess the view of international tourists in Ethiopia in relation to safety suporting services and security profiles. By doing so, the study identifies the risks that international tourists are exposed in Ethiopia and thereby show the measurements international tourist take to procure safety both in their pre-trip and while they stay in Ethiopia. In order to address the objective of the study primary data were collected from 400 international tourists; through questionnaire. they were selected, through convenience sampling methods. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics such as frequency and mean and inferential statistics such as Chi-Square test and independent T-test with one way ANOVA; besides those, factors were analyzed with simple factor analysis model. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 21) was used to generate statistical outputs. Findings revealed that, overall there is about safe environment for international tourists in Ethiopia; while, it has a moderate level in safety supporting service. This study finding also extended that, annoyances from beggars and unvalued price are serious problems that hassel the safety of international tourists; even though there is no serious security problems for international tourists at touristic area in Ethiopia. Regarding the risk reduction strategy, international tourists fairly adapt all mechanism described below. Including attentively research the area, forming groups, having vaccination and purchase insurances as pre-trip while use any sun and mosquito prevention element’s, avoiding walking alone at night during their stay. Finally, Ethiopian tourism failed under misery for international tourists; because of both chronic beggars and unvalued price. Upon this, MoCT in collaboration with different level tourism stakeholder’s, as well a different concerning body in respective city/town Adminstraters must seriously look chronic beggars (street children’s) in connection to destination image,and social wellbeing.

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Keywords

International tourists, perceptions, safety, security, security profiles, supoting services

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