ENHANCEMENT OF TOURIST ATTRACTION SITES AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM PRODUCTS final
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Abstract
The enhancement of tourist attractions, development of tourism products, and overall promotion in Dire Dawa are still in their early stages. Nevertheless, the region’s unexploited natural and historical assets, along with improved infrastructure, services, and anticipated growth in tourism offerings, present significant potential for the sector to expand and become a livelihood source for many residents.
To accomplish the office’s predefined objectives—which focus on upgrading existing attraction sites, boosting their promotion, and advancing tourism products (including basic infrastructure for two rock art sites, restoring and expanding the Dire Dawa museum, preserving selected built heritage, creating a camel race center, refining the tourist map and website, dedicating an avenue to the foreign community, and cataloging built heritage)—the office has prepared this project proposal. The aim is to progressively position the administration as the most visited destination in Eastern Ethiopia.
Titled **“THE TOURIST ATTRACTION SITE IMPROVEMENT AND TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION,”** the project comprises six sub-projects:
– Basic infrastructure development for two rock art sites
– Restoration and expansion of the Dire Dawa museum building
– Preservation and maintenance of selected built heritage with national and international importance
– Upgrading the existing tourist map and website
– Establishment of a camel race center
– Naming an avenue in honor of the foreign community
– Inventory of built heritage and capacity building
Each sub-project has distinct activities and goals. Together, their outcomes will establish a solid foundation for enhancing attraction sites and fostering tourism product development.
The enhancement of tourist attractions, development of tourism offerings, and overall promotion in Dire Dawa are still in their early stages. Nevertheless, the region’s unexploited natural and historical assets, along with improved infrastructure, services, and anticipated growth in tourism products, present significant potential for the sector to expand and become a livelihood source for many residents.
To accomplish the office’s predefined objectives—which focus on upgrading existing attraction sites, boosting promotion, and advancing tourism products (including basic infrastructure for two rock art sites, restoring and expanding the Dire Dawa museum building, preserving selected built heritage, establishing a camel race center, refining the current tourist map and website, naming an avenue after the foreign community, and cataloging built heritage)—the office has prepared this project proposal. The initiative aims to position the administration as the most visited destination in Eastern Ethiopia.
Titled **“THE TOURIST ATTRACTION SITE IMPROVEMENT AND TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION,”** the project comprises six sub-projects:
– Basic infrastructure development for two rock art sites
– Restoration and expansion of the Dire Dawa museum building
– Preservation and maintenance of selected built heritage of national and international importance
– Enhancement of the existing tourist map and website
– Creation of a camel race center
– Naming an avenue in honor of the foreign community
– Inventory of built heritage and capacity building
Each sub-project has distinct activities and goals. Together, their outcomes will establish a solid foundation for improving attraction sites and advancing tourism products.
Key insights
To accomplish the office’s predefined objectives of enhancing the condition of attraction sites, boosting their promotion, and advancing tourism development (including creating basic infrastructure for two rock art sites, restoring and expanding the Dire Dawa museum building, preserving selected built heritage, setting up a camel race center, upgrading the existing tourist map and website, naming an avenue after the foreign community, and cataloging built heritage), the office has prepared this project proposal. The aim is to steadily position the administration as the most frequented destination in Eastern Ethiopia.
To establish a foundation for the ongoing organization of this event alongside other programs such as the business and cultural expo, on-sand sports competition, and to ensure the event’s growing recognition both nationally and internationally, efforts include preparing a Standard Tourist Map highlighting key attractions in the Dire Dawa administration.
As the tourist map and newly launched visitor guidebook have been uploaded to the main website of the Dire Culture and Tourism Office, which is part of the project, beneficiaries and other interested parties worldwide can now readily access relevant tourism information.
Officials from the Dire Dawa administration’s culture and tourism sector will gain hands-on experience in organizing camel race events and managing built heritage.
The local community and other tourism stakeholders will recognize that enhancing and safeguarding access to the tourist attraction site in Dire Dawa is still in its early phases.
Officials from the Dire Dawa administration’s tourism development and promotion core process, along with two senior members of the sport commission, will gain expertise in managing camel race events.
Relevant studies
This study aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities for tourism growth in Hadiya Zone, specifically in east Badawacho Woreda. To accomplish this goal, both primary and secondary data were collected using qualitative and quantitative research methods. Four tourism sites were selected through purposive sampling, while 100 sample households were chosen using stratified simple random sampling. Quantitative data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, and mean where applicable, while qualitative data helped validate and support the findings. The research examined the tourism potential of the area, which holds significant promise for industry development.
However, the study also uncovered several obstacles requiring attention and intervention. Key challenges included visitor safety concerns, inadequate infrastructure, low community awareness about tourism, insufficient tourism products, weak promotion and marketing, poor stakeholder collaboration, limited government and NGO involvement, a lack of training institutions, and minimal host community engagement.
Conversely, opportunities such as the strategic positioning of sites, existing tourism potential, supportive policies, and the hospitality of local residents were identified as favorable conditions for tourism advancement. The findings and recommendations highlight strategies to strengthen the capabilities of local authorities and stakeholders in fostering tourism development within the study area.
Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal, 2013
This research examines the opportunities and obstacles for tourism growth in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, from the perspective of international visitors. The study focuses on attractions within and near Bahir Dar, including the Blue Nile Falls and the island monasteries of Lake Tana. Data was collected from 165 randomly selected international tourists using a structured questionnaire, supplemented by interviews with local industry professionals. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the findings.
Tourism in Ethiopia, including Bahir Dar, is expanding, though not at the anticipated pace. Of the foreign tourists visiting Bahir Dar, 60% are male. The destination appeals predominantly to young and middle-aged travelers (72.72%), with minimal interest from children (3.66%) and families (5.46%). Most visitors originate from Europe (30.9%) and North America (27.27%), relying mainly on the internet (34%) and books (32%) for trip planning. A notable characteristic of this destination is the high proportion of elderly tourists (21.31%) and repeat visitors (44.24%), reflecting its tourism potential and safe environment.
Lake Tana stands as the top attraction, with all tourists visiting by boat. It ranks as the highest priority for visitors, though tourist numbers decline significantly toward the lake’s remote areas. Only 12.73% of tourists visit Spot-II, ‘Zige Peninsula and Narga Salase Monastery’ on Daq Island, and merely 5.45% reach Spot-III, ‘crossing the lake at Gorgora,’ despite their appeal. A disparity exists between how tourist authorities promote sites and visitors’ actual preferences, as seen with the Blue Nile Falls and Traditional Orthodox Church School.
The study suggests improving the accuracy and detail of online and printed information. Tourism promotion strategies should align with tourists’ preferences to enhance engagement.
The study aims to identify Branding strategies for promoting Dire Dawa as an attractive tourism destination. A mixed-method approach was employed, gathering 345 usable samples through purposive sampling. Relevant data was collected, presented, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that the city’s image and perceptions are shaped more by word-of-mouth communication than by destination attributes or personal experiences. Additionally, the study found that the most critical factor influencing destination choice is the overall assurance of safety from physical harm. Key challenges in marketing Dire Dawa include insufficient efforts to refresh tourist perceptions, a lack of market segmentation, limited recreational facilities, and brand confusion with Harrar. To address these issues, the administration should prioritize safety measures and revitalize the city’s brand by integrating a strategy featuring a flagship destination brand and slogan.
The tourism sector, as a vital component of the economy, must contribute significantly to fostering sustainable development in Ethiopia. Despite Ethiopia’s abundance of tourist attractions, the nation has not fully capitalized on the potential of this industry. Consequently, this study explored the challenges and opportunities within the tourism sector of Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), particularly focusing on its world heritage sites. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted to achieve this objective. Primary and secondary data were gathered through focus group discussions (FGDs), semi-structured interviews, self-reported data, and document analysis. Thematic analysis revealed that the study areas are rich in cultural, historical, ecotourism, archaeological, and religious tourism assets. Additionally, the research highlighted the hospitality of the lo…
International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 2019
Tourism has become a powerful means for alleviating poverty. Ethiopia possesses significant tourism potential, including natural, man-made, historical, and cultural assets. The Gambella Region, situated in the southwestern part of Ethiopia, is one of the country’s appealing tourism destinations. However, its tourism sector remains underdeveloped. Additionally, there has been limited research on identifying growth opportunities. Therefore, this study aimed to explore opportunities for advancing tourism industry development in the Region. Key informants from three zones, five regional offices, and thirteen woredas were deliberately chosen based on set criteria. A total of 103 key informants were interviewed, supplemented by field observations. The primary data collected were edited, sorted, structured, and input into SPSS version 20. Qualitative data were analyzed through descriptive content interpretation, while quantitative data were processed numerically. The study’s findings highlighted several key opportunities to boost tourism in the Region: hiring skilled personnel, forming local tour guide associations, collaborating with tour operators, creating tourist guidebooks, establishing information centers, strengthening promotion and marketing of destinations, updating information, improving infrastructure, and expanding accommodation services.
International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems, 2018
Tourism is often considered a means to cater to diverse needs, yet it falls short in addressing the interests of those with limited abilities. To overcome these gaps, accessible tourism serves as an optimal solution. This study focuses on analyzing the challenges and developmental aspects of accessible tourism within hotels and attraction sites. The evaluation reveals that while many standard tourist hotels have implemented basic accessibility features such as ramps, telephones, and designated drop-off zones, they often lack elevators, pushchairs, shower chairs, bed risers, and similar amenities. In assessing attractions, the Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela demonstrate more progress in enhancing accessibility through ongoing construction and facility improvements compared to the Royal Enclosure of Gondar. Overall, efforts to promote accessible tourism in the Amhara Region are evident, but significant work remains to be done.
Indonesian Journal of Tourism and Development Studies, 2017
Tourism serves as a significant contributor to local revenue. Enhancing the quality of tourism destinations relies on implementing effective strategies for sector development. This involves prioritizing proper maintenance and management of these sites. Research conducted in Kediri assessed the region’s potential as a tourism hub, aiming to boost visitor numbers and local income by evaluating internal and external factors that support the sector. The study adopted a descriptive approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Data analysis included SWOT, followed by weighted assessments using IFAS-EFAS. Key findings suggested: (a) Kediri’s government should establish shopping centers showcasing local wisdom, especially in destinations lacking retail options, (b) introduce diverse tourism initiatives, (c) expand the dissemination of tourism-related information, and (d) utilize multiple mass media platforms to promote Kediri’s attractions. The proposed strategy, focused on elevating destination quality through sustained development, is expected to strengthen the area’s tourism sector. Achieving the target visitor count would subsequently raise Kediri’s local revenue. The recommended approach is an Aggressive Maintenance strategy, where relevant institutions or organizations actively and vigorously develop tourism sites. Implementing this strategy requires logical and analytical frameworks, along with prioritizing short- and long-term goals through thorough analysis and conceptualization.
Sangiran Tourism Village, also known as Krikilan Village, stands out as a unique geological destination within the Sangiran Cultural Conservation area, recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Consequently, tourism development in Sangiran Tourism Village must be carefully planned, with a focus on creating suitable tourism products. This research employs a descriptive method and qualitative approach to examine the existing conditions and phenomena. Findings reveal that current tourism offerings in Sangiran Tourism Village primarily revolve around the Sangiran Ancient Human Museum as its main attraction. However, the village holds untapped natural potential, including its distinctive geological features, scenic landscapes, and preserved rural lifestyle. Proposed recommendations include leveraging these underutilized tourism assets to enhance visitor experiences.
This study evaluates the tourism destination potential of Arsi Mountains National Park. To accomplish this goal, the researcher utilized both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Primary and secondary data were employed to analyze the park’s potential. Primary data collection involved interviews and questionnaires with selected park staff, community elders, and other relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, extensive and ongoing personal observations were carried out to supplement insights from interviews and literature reviews.
The findings indicate that Arsi Mountains National Park possesses significant tourism potential and diverse values, comprising four distinct blocks: Chelalo Gaallama, Honqqolo, Dheraa Deelfeeqa, and Kaaka. However, these resources remain underutilized due to several challenges, including inadequate tourist facilities, insufficient conservation efforts, and limited tourism interest among local communities.
To address these issues, the study recommends strong collaboration between zonal administrations and key stakeholders, such as local residents and private sector actors, to fully harness the park’s tourism potential and overcome existing barriers.
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Relevant studies
Progress in economics, business, and management studies, 2023
International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 2019
Al-Azhar University Engineering Sector Journal, 2016
Proceedings of the 2019 International Conference on Applied Science and Technology – Social Sciences Track (iCASTSS 2019), 2019
