Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0269
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2167-0269
+44 1300 500008
This review paper intends to highlight the role of ecotourism in satisfying the funding requirement for effective management of protected areas in Ethiopia. Although, Ethiopia has blessed with charismatic wildlife endowment, ecotourism is yet underdeveloped. Ethiopia has recognized tourism as invaluable tool not only to bring significant financial funds for the maintenance of PAs but also to improve wellbeing of local inhabitants.
Tourism in EWCA PAs has been generating significant direct income to central treasury, for example about in $300,000 was earned in 2015/16. However, the rough calculation of nature tourist’s expenditure has enormously outstripped the direct income, estimated about $58.5 million in 2015/16. However, in the same year government has allocated about $3.78 for conservation and development undertakings by EWCA. This has provided a return on investment of about $15.5 for every $1 invested. However, if the estimated ecosystem services provision ($325 million per annum) is accounted the return of investment greatly exceed. Apart from tourism significant amount of income has generated from sport hunting, concession fees, filming, research fees and other royalties. Thus, a well-designed ecotourism development projects are required to meet desired conservation goals and significantly contribute for livelihood development. Recommendations are provided to promote sustainable ecotourism business in PAs of Ethiopia.
Published Date: 2020-06-04; Received Date: 2019-12-26