The Role of Tour Operators in Ethiopian Tourism Development
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Ababa Univerisity
Abstract
If Ethiopia is to effectively exploit its great tourism potentials, it needs to have the
appropriate infrastructures and key enablers of the sector. Tour operating firms are key
players in the tourism sector. Recognizing this fact, this study is aimed at identifying
the major roles played by tour operating flfms in Ethiopia, and their defining
characteristics such as their branch distribution, promotional methods they employ, the
skills and training of their personnel, and the level of involvement of local
communities in their operations. The survey used different instruments to collect data
from a sample of 40 different tour operating finns in Addis Ababa. The survey
findings indicate that tour operating finns are highly vertically integrated, have low
branch distributions in tourist attraction sites, employ a few promotional media, and
involve local communities in some forms of tourism activities at tourist destination
sites. The sector is also characterized by lack of skilled man power and appropriate
infrastructures.
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Ethiopian Tourism