Ethiopia’s Tourism New Face: From Limited to Ample Destinations

Addis Ababa, February 21, 2026 (ENA) –Even if Ethiopia is a land graced by history and natural splendor, its tourism has been primarily challenged with scarcity of destinations.

 Visitors would often briefly tour the few well-known sites and depart shortly.

 Today, that narrative is changed through a blend of vision and steadfast commitment.

 The nation has transitioned from a lack of alternatives to a new chapter where the abundance and quality of destinations are harmoniously integrated.

 Tourism was strategically selected as one of the five pillars of Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform program for profound reasons.

The sector possesses a unique capacity to generate extensive employment, secure foreign currency, and portray the true image of the country on the global stage.

As tourism flourishes, it acts as a catalyst —invigorating agriculture, accelerating transport and construction, and breathing life into small enterprises that craft traditional attire and artifacts.

To realize this vision, the strategic projects initiated by PM Abiy Ahmed have fundamentally reshaped the nation’s tourism map.

The Dine for Sheger initiative transformed the heartbeat of Addis Ababa through the Unity, Sheger, and Entoto parks.

Similarly, the Dine for Nation projects —including the historic Halala Kela, the pristine Chebera Churchura, and the breathtaking Wenchi — have renewed Ethiopia's allure by blending natural beauty with historical footprints.

The Dine for Generation initiative continues this momentum with modern destinations such as Gorgora, Dembi, Shebelle, and Lake Logo.

These sites elegantly marry nature with history and comfort with modernity, standing as the new jewels of Ethiopian tourism.

These developments have provided compelling reasons for domestic tourism to thrive and for international travelers to make Ethiopia a primary destination.

Industry experts note that this transformation extends beyond physical construction to the quality of service.

The owner of Celebrity Ethiopia Tour and Travel, Ashenafi Kassa, observed that the previous shortage of destinations has been solved, offering tourists diverse options that encourage longer stays beyond the traditional historical circuit.

Pleasure Ethiopia Tour and Travel Agency Manager, Nahom Admasu, emphasizes that the greatest success lies in the completion of the service chain.

He recalls that while beautiful sites existed in the past, they were often bypassed due to a lack of suitable accommodations.

Now, the construction of international-standard lodges and resorts allows tourists to linger and enjoy their stay without haste.

The proliferation of destinations has also opened new creative avenues for tour operators. Ashenafi highlights the "Night Out" package, a fresh offering that allows guests to savor the nocturnal beauty of the city.

Such innovations lead to increased revenue, job creation, and extended tourist stays, he noted. The tourism sector is indeed yielding promising results.

Industry stakeholders affirm that the government’s efforts to expand destinations are not only making the country competitive on the global stage but also becoming a backbone for overall economic growth.

Ethiopia stands today not just as a cradle of history, but as a vibrant source of modern destinations.