Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Developmnet Practice in Zege Peninsula, Bahirdar, Ethiopia
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Date
2021-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis focuses on assessing heritage conservation and sustainable tourism development
practice in Zege peninsula mainly in UraKidaneMihret Monastery. The study employed
descriptive research design in line up with mixed research approach. Questionnaire, interview
and observation were instruments used to collect data. For the questionnaire, 157 international
as well as domestic tourists and 8 key informants for interview (3 monasteries‟ monks, 3 experts
from culture and tourism office and 2 from local community representatives) were selected using
purposive sampling method. The collected quantitative data were processed using SPSS version
24 and analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentage and mean
analysis. The qualitative data were also analyzed using narrative analysis. The findings of the
study revealed that conservation practice in the area is in a poor condition that means no
consideration has been given in the maintenance practice and there is no visitor controlling
system during the time of visiting the heritage. Although the churches and the monasteries of the
Zege Peninsula have played immense contributions, there are some common problems such as
handling cultural heritages, lack of restoration and conservation. Immovable heritages with wall
paintings are also going to be damaged because of the lack of professional painting
conservators. The findings of the study indicated that the area has unique cultural heritages and
the scenic beauty of the environment is the source of attraction .The area has also considerable
potential for the development of tourism. Therefore, the researcher forwarded implementing well
planned tourism product development for practicing different tourism activities like building
infrastructure and promotion to the area. The government authority should be informed the
relevance of practicing conservation or management that can maintain and improve the
environment in various ways such as conservation of natural areas, historical and
archaeological sites. Moreover, it is necessary to improve infrastructure and awareness of
practicing manageable tourism development in Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery of Zege peninsula
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Keywords
Bahir Dar, Tana, Zege, Peninsula, Heritages, Conservation, Sustainable tourism development