Tourism Development Potentials, Challenges, and Opportunities: The Case of Selected Tourism Sites in South West Shoa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia.
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Date
2023-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to assess tourism development potentials, challenges, and opportunities in selected Woredas namely Woliso, Wonchi, and KersaMalima districts of South West Showa in Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, a qualitative approach with a descriptive design and expert purposive sampling techniques were employed as the interview data-gathering instrument. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found that the area has potential natural and manmade attractions. To name some of the major potentials are Wonchi Crater Lake, Negash Lodge, Dendi Lake, Adadi Mariyam Rock hewn church, and Chebo Cave – Saint Selassie Monastery. However, the area has faced several tourism development challenges including a lack of standard accommodations, a Low level of community awareness; Poor infrastructure and facilities, Poor institutional arrangement, lack of cooperation among stakeholders, Poor marketing and promotion, and safety and security problems. The study also revealed that the emergence of the Wonchi Ecotourism Society in Woreda, the interest of the government to make the area one of the popular tourist sites in the country, and the hospitality of the local community are opportunities for tourism development in the area. Finally, based on the results of the study, it is recommended that there should be a concerted effort by all stakeholders to study stakeholders have to give attention to tourism development variables was one of the recommended points to the sustainable development of tourism in Woreda.
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Tourism, Potentials, Challenges, Opportunities