UNESCO Spearheads Drive to Promote Ethiopia's Tourism, Heritages

Addis Ababa, November 29, 2025 (ENA) — UNESCO Representative to Ethiopia, Rita Bissoonauth, has emphasized the critical role of diplomatic engagement in promoting Ethiopia's tourism and vast cultural wealth.

After visiting the ancient walled city of Harar Jugol along with more than 35 members of the diplomatic community residing in Addis Ababa, Bissoonauth said the fundamental purpose of the visit is to bring the diplomats to the different UNESCO sites.

Ethiopia boasts an impressive record, holding the highest number of tangible UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa—thirteen—along with six intangible sites, she added.

“When you become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a universal value. That means that you don't have it anywhere in the world. It is the most beautiful. So, we need to showcase”.

 

 

The UNESCO Representative underscored the significance of this status, stating that when a site achieves World Heritage designation, it possesses a universal value, meaning it is unique and unparalleled globally, and must therefore be showcased and protected.

The diplomatic tour serves as both touristic promotion and affirmation that the sites are safe and worthy of international attention. The last such trip was to the Bale National Park.

Bissoonauth noted the direct link between heritage preservation, tourism, and local prosperity through job creation, emphasizing that the presence of the diplomatic community demonstrates that the locations are safe to visit, thereby enhancing tourism.

According to her, the UNESCO strategy is to leverage the sites’ global prestige to deliver tangible economic benefits right down to the community level, ensuring that the preservation of world heritage actively supports those who live within it.