Ethiopia Records Highest-Ever Foreign Tourist Arrivals: PM Abiy Ahmed

Addis Ababa, July 3, 2025 (ENA) -- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia has recorded the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals in its history.

The announcement came during the 42nd regular session of the House of People’s Representatives, where the Prime Minister responded to questions regarding the implementation of the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year budget.

Emphasizing Ethiopia’s growing appeal as a global destination, Prime Minister Abiy noted that the country hosted over 150 international conferences during the year, double the number held in the previous fiscal period. These conferences have attracted approximately 1.3 million foreign visitors, he said.

He attributed the tourism surge and increased international engagements to a series of key reforms and infrastructure improvements and these include enhancements to immigration policies, the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, growth in the hospitality sector, the development of key economic corridors, and the ongoing improvement of major tourist attractions.

In addition to the influx of foreign tourists, the Prime Minister revealed that 1.5 million people visited prominent landmarks such as Unity Park, the Science Museum, Friendship Park, and the National Palace this year alone, generating over half a billion birr in revenue.

According to PM Abiy, over the past few years, these sites have attracted more than 13 million visitors, reflecting a substantial rise in both domestic and international tourism to Addis Ababa.

PM Abiy emphasized that tourism is emerging as a vital pillar of Ethiopia’s service sector, alongside transport, telecommunications, trade, and related services.

He also underlined the sector's strategic importance in complementing agricultural and industrial development, calling it a key foundation for building a modern and diversified economy.

In connection to the Ethiopian Airlines, the Prime Minister revealed that the national carrier added 13 new aircraft this year, expanding its fleet to 180.

The airline also introduced six new international routes, raising its total destinations to 136, and transported over 19 million passengers, nearly double the pre-reform figures, PM Abiy noted.

The premier concluded by stressing the need for integrated development across the service sector, underscoring its potential to drive economic growth and establish Ethiopia as a regional hub for tourism, aviation, and global engagement.