Concerns Amidst Regional Instability
The skepticism stems from the fact that Amhara, one of Ethiopia’s major tourism hubs, is currently embroiled in internal conflict. The neighboring Tigray region has only recently emerged from a two-year civil war, and parts of Oromia, the largest region, are also facing internal clashes. Given these circumstances, experts find it difficult to reconcile the reported tourist numbers with the claimed revenue. To generate $3.2 billion solely from foreign exchange, each international tourist would have had to spend an average of $3,720 – a figure some consider unrealistic.
History of Discrepancies
This isn’t the first time Ethiopia’s tourism statistics have been called into question. In 2018, the government reported $1.8 billion in tourism revenue, but the World Economic Forum (WEF) found the actual earnings to be significantly lower at only $444 million. Additionally, the WEF’s research indicated that 87% of tourists spend less than a week in Ethiopia, contradicting the Ministry’s figures.
The reported tourism revenue figures raise questions about transparency in Ethiopia’s tourism sector. Given the ongoing conflicts in key tourist regions and the discrepancies identified in previous years, independent verification and a more data-driven approach are crucial for building trust and ensuring sustainable growth in Ethiopian tourism.
