The Historic Route in Ethiopian Tourism Development.

• Main Author: Ashenafi Tafesse
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AfricaJournals 2016-02-01
• Series: African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
• Subjects: Tourism development plan; tourism resource; history; heritage
• Online Access: http://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_30_vol_5__2_.pdf

The historic route is an area in Ethiopia that mainly covers the northern part. Because of its’ advantage being the center of an ancient civilization, the area is endowed with huge historical and archeological monuments. The area is also home of four world heritage sites, including the only natural world heritage site of the country, the Simien Mountains National Park. When one thinks about tourism in Ethiopia, it is hard to forget the historic route. This article is a review of different tourism development plans which focus on how much the historic route influences tourism plans in Ethiopia and it also shows how much the area is essential to Ethiopian tourism development in general. The study shows a close relationship between tourism development plans in Ethiopia and the historic route. It is very rare to find a development plan which excludes the historic route. The historic route is thus very much an integral part of tourism development in Ethiopia by its provision of the lion share of tourism receipts, international representation, and expansion of domestic tourism. This study was based on an extensive literature review including various books, articles and state documents which were reviewed to identify the major tourism resources of the area, the share of historic route in the tourism development plans of the country and its contribution for the development of tourism in the country.