Tefera, Tamirat (PhD)Alamirie, Tarekegn2020-03-092023-11-182020-03-092023-11-182019-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/21071This thesis intends to assess tour operators’ social responsibility practices and challenges at Entoto tourist site in Addis Ababa. To conduct this research, mixed research method, which involved both qualitative and quantitative research approaches, was employed. Both primary and secondary data were used. To collect the primary data, 17 interviews were undertaken with tour operators, local people and selected government officials, and 183 questionnaires were filled out and collected from local people. The result of the study revealed that tour operators’ social responsibility practice around Entoto Tourist Site had been limited. They had practiced legal and ethical responsibilities in a better way, except applying legal issue related to environmental law. Regarding their economic responsibility, they were expected to engage in making the tourists buy local products, increase tourist around the tourist site and in some extent generating employment temporarily. But, they didn’t engage in contributing for local economy through financing projects related to economic development, except paying entrance fee for museum, buying local products and generating employment. With regard to environmental responsibility, they had been governed by applying the rules and regulations around the tourist site, and preparing and offering environmentally friendly travel programs. But they weren’t engage in planting trees, and terracing works, encouraging tourists to participate in environmental protection activities, and reducing pollution and wastes around the tourist site. Only very few of them had engaged in planting trees, terracing, etc. Concerning philanthropic responsibility, they hadn’t engaged in helping the poor, aged people and orphans; in conserving heritages (the fine and performing arts); in supporting projects related to schools, roads, water pipes, playgrounds, etc.; and in making tourists and the local people involve in humanitarian and charitable activities around the tourist site. Moreover, the study found out the challenges faced by tour companies while practicing this responsibility. In general, the study indicated that the tour operators’ social responsibility practice had been found at lower level. Besides, it showed that if they had practiced social responsibility around the tourist site, it would have benefited the local community as expected and sustained tour operating business and contributed for sustainable tourism development. Therefore, the tour companies should practice social responsibilities and the government must make CSR inculcate in tourism policy and design legal framework for its implementation. Key words: Social responsibility, practice, challenges, tourist site, destination, sustainable tourism development, tour operator and tour operating business.enSocial responsibilitypractice, challenges, tourist sitedestination,sustainable tourism developmenttour operatortour operating businessThesis