The Negative Effects of Civil War in 2021/22 on Tourism Suppliers in Lalibela
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Date
2023-06-27
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The adverse effects of civil war on tourism industry have brought greater attention by numerous scholars in recent times. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the negative effects of the recent civil war on tourism suppliers in Lalibela. The study indicated that the recent civil war had a catastrophic impact on the economic, social, safety, and security issues for tourism suppliers and the study also covered crisis management implemented by tourism suppliers in the aftermath of the recent civil war. A qualitative research approach was employed to complete the study, and data was gathered through in-depth interviews, indirect observation, and an extensive journal article review supported by books, documentary information, and the internet. To meet the objectives, nondiscriminatory snowball sampling techniques were used to conduct in-depth interviews with 26 respondents. The data was transcribed from Amharic to English, thematically analyzed, and arranged through systematic interpretation. The results of the study revealed that civil war had a negative effect on tourism suppliers in the research area due to its linkages effects. Drop foreign tourist arrivals by 98% and domestic tourist arrivals by 69% in 2022 compared to 2020 before the outbreak of the civil war. The analysis also showed a 97% and 55% decrease in revenue from tourism for both domestic and foreign travelers, respectively. The findings proved that the economic crisis caused a social crisis in terms of livelihood challenge, human rights violation, physical insecurity, and psychological damage. The findings also indicate poor crisis management implemented by the majority of tourism suppliers, who simply used past savings rather than looking for other options. The study discovers that civil war adversely affected not only tourism suppliers but also the livelihood of the community that relied solely on the tourism industry. The researcher suggests that tourist suppliers look for another feasible choice rather than relying on the vulnerable tourism business. Government assistance is urgently needed to aid tourism suppliers such as hoteliers, guides, and souvenir vendors who would otherwise go bankrupt. The federal government should foster a political atmosphere conducive to the peaceful resolution of all problems.
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Tourism supplier, Civil war, Economic and social effect, crisis management, safety and security issues