Challenges and Prospects of Religious Tourism Development in Debre Damo Monastery, Eastern Tigray Northern Ethiopia

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Date

2014-04

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to assess the challenges and prospects of religious tourism development in Debre Damo MonastelY; Gulemekeda Wereda eastern Tigray, and recommends on how best it can be enhanced and replicated in other similar areas. In order to achieve the objective of the study, both primary and secondwy data were generated by employing qualitative and quantitative methods. Most of the quantitative data collected from the local communities, surrounding residential areas, and taurists/pilgrims were analyzed using the commonly used sojiware SPSs. The obtained results were then discussed by using tabulation through percentage, tables, graphs and other descriptive statistics. Readily non-quantifiable data that gives support to the ideas obtained quantitatively was analyzed qualitatively. Ten resources were identified as potential at/raction for religious tourism development in Debre Damo Monastely. Except movable tangible heritages which is kept in secrete by few monks, Ihe rest tourism potentials were being utilized and rated as altrac/ive resource for majorily of respondents. Absence of inveslment in tourism facility, poor performance of marketing, poor infrastructure development especially road, pure water, health center, environmental pollulion, low level of local communily participation, begging and low level of governmenl intention were identified as challenges of religious tourism development in Debre Damo. Despite these challenges, in increase trend of domestic and internalional tourists arrival by 15.5% for the last five years was registered in the sludy area. This has contributed to an increase in job creation and revenue of the Monastery. Moreover, its geographic location in the norlhern historic route is an opporlunily for sustainable religious lourism development. Debre Damo MonastelY has huge religious lOur ism potential and opporlunities despite challenges. Tourist facilities development, road construction and fully involvement of the local communily need to be impiemenled by the concerned bodies. Key word: Religion, Development, Deber Damo

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Religion

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