JICA Supports Tourism Recovery Through Improved Data

Ethiopia is home to 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites and is filled with many natural and cultural attractions that make it a popular destination for tourists. In 2017, a record high of 900,000 tourists visited the country. However, tourism decreased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic and while the tourism sector has begun to recover in most countries, the recovery seems to have taken a different form in Ethiopia.

Due to the continued success and growth of Ethiopian Airlines, arrivals in Ethiopia have been growing. In 2022, arrivals reached 900,000 people; however, 75% of these were transit passengers. The composition of the top five countries from which passengers originated has also changed from 2017. To better understand the current market, the needs of potential tourists, and to prepare strategies for the recovery of tourism, JICA is working with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) to conduct a Tourist Exit Survey.

A two-day training session was provided for 20 members of the statistics department at MoT to familiarize them with the exit survey questionnaire and to equip them with the tools to approach a wide range of travelers. The training was held in collaboration with trainers from the Ministry of Planning and Development and the trainees were also encouraged by a visit from H.E. Ambassador Nassise Chali, Minister of Tourism, who emphasized how important it was to collect accurate data since that will shape the strategy of the Ministry and determine how Ethiopia can attract tourists and meet their demands.

The Tourist Exit Surveys will be conducted throughout February at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and the data will be used as input for updating Ethiopia’s Tourism Satellite Account, which is the main tool for the economic measurement of tourism.

#JICA has supported the tourism sector in #Ethiopia in the past by dispatching volunteers to work in regional tourism bureaus as well conducting a Technical Cooperation project for the enhancement of community tourism in Simien National Park and surrounding areas.

H.E. Ambassador Nassise Chali, Minister of Tourism, visited the training and emphasized the importance of accurate data collection to have a strong strategy for increasing tourism and meeting the demands of tourists.