Tourism-through the Millennium prizm

There is a positive outlook for the expansion of the Ethiopian tourism industry through the new millennium. The gains from the tourism industry in Ethiopia, as it is true with any other country, is more than the gains that primary products, including Ethiopia green-gold, accrue at the same time.
Tourism is not only to be seen in Ethiopia as an immediate potential source of material wealth, but, truly as a reflection of the Ethiopian culture and heritage as well as magnetic attraction to the untapped magnificence of nature and its unhampered environments.
The flora and fauna, on the one hand, the wild life, on the other hand, added to the natural settings of the Ethiopian earth formation, itself, as well as the splendor of the many waterfalls, the hot springs, the high plateaus and the depressions, the great planes and dry lands, the natural tunnels, surrounded and beautified by other natural phenomena like exotic birds and butterflies, are only breath-taking.
The Ethiopian tourism is not only limited to the many great acquisitions, it is also graced by the fact that it is the home or the origin of hominoid.
It is this state of affairs which comes to mind and which has to be highlighted when we all talk about tourism. Tourism is and should be the concern of everybody within and beyond the national boundaries. Tourism is another sense of preserving the natural gifts of nature which has much to share with ecological and environmental interests. Developing tourism is advancing environmental health by lips and bounds.
Today, the world community is in search of survival. It is more and more going against the destruction of our biosphere. It is against the excessive heating of our universe. Mankind has to try desperately to preserve what remains from the life supporting elements of nature. It is in view of this, I presume, that the rapid development of tourism has to be seen and conceived. Tourism is all about the good life of society. Tourism is advancing sanitation, cleanliness, static beauty and arrangement, preservation and prevention of pollutants through the highest exercise of self-discipline.
If all these elements glorify tourism, its development should be attractive to all those who prioritize it. The development of tourism needs guidance. It is obvious that there is sufficient public concern in this respect. When we are developing our basic infrastructures such as air strips, roads, potable water systems, parks, hotels and resorts, we all mean government and public concerns in economic development, social advancement, and opening up of our tourism industries.
The question is, however, particularly, as it concerns our entrepreneurs, how much have they been interestedly involved and immersed themselves in this healthy and profiting wide scope business? And, how much have investors of national and international statures and dimensions involved themselves in this pleasant endeavor? Have we, on our part, done enough to improve tourism centers, as we are impressively improving our road system, which has much to play in advancing tourism, obviously? Have we invited international developers or friendly international investors to visit and assist us in uplifting the standards of tourism surroundings at the center, east, west, north or south? Is the old environment at Tis Abay changed? Has there been an attempt at improving, while preserving, the Facil Bridge at this place? Is the façade of the adjacent small town changed? Are there one or two attractive inns, eateries, wineries, bars or restaurants in the town? When we make decisions, I guess, such should be our agenda items, and the priorities should flow from this.
It is my conviction that the millennium’s eve has much to offer in this direction from its wide and attractive menu. Yes, champagnes, sparkling wines and fire-works, dances and folkloric demonstrations are positive and most welcome manifestation of spiritual gratification for a milestone well achieved. Yet, to make that a sign of meaningful achievement, chances are pretty high to call now the attention of our investors so that they increase their pace in this direction, too, to make a difference and to tell the Ethiopian peoples at the culmination of the millennium’s eve that “environment hazard-free” tourism has become the corner-stone of the Ethiopian economy.