Analysis of the Development of Convention Tourism in Addis Ababa
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objective of this research was to analyze the development of convention tourism in Addis
Ababa at present by exploring the determinant factors affecting the selection of destination and
observing the opportunities and challenges on the development of the sector. In doing so, the
research has followed a mixed research approach having a descriptive and exploratory research
types. Since the research’s focus was on the supply side of the sector, an in-depth interview has
been used to gather qualitative data from the respective informants, even though some
quantitative data had been collected from the demand side for the purpose of triangulation. After
the completion of the study, the research have brought the following findings, first Addis
Ababa’s convention tourism is moderately growing from a quantitative perspective than the
quality aspect. Secondly safety and security, destination location, convenient venue and related
costs have been found the most important factors affecting decision making process while
selecting convention sites. Thirdly, destination marketing, management and integration problems
are the most visible gaps observed at the destination that hinders it from developing the product
with quality to enhance competitiveness. Finally various opportunities and challenges have found
in relation to the convention business in Addis. Based on the conclusion the research has made a
conceptual model for the development of competitive and sustainable convention tourism
product and destination in Addis Ababa as a recommendation which consists of five pillars. The
recommendation includes that responsible stakeholders needs to understand the different
interrelated environments that are relevant for the smooth operation of convention tourism and
work hard in cooperation with each other. Further there is a need to work very hard to enhance
quality of infrastructures, products and services and there is a need to build image of the
destination so as to make it more competitive
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Keywords
tourism in Addis Ababa, destination, development