Despite being identified as a pillar of the economy, the sector has lagged in adopting technologies that reflect the country’s unique social and cultural identity, the Minister noted. While technologies from abroad are being deployed, the absence of locally developed tools tailored to Ethiopia’s heritage remains a constraint.
The Ministry has incorporated provisions in its new tourism proclamation to support technological integration and stands ready to assist entrepreneurs working on digital solutions for the sector. According to Salamiyat, user-friendly technologies can ease travel for international visitors and enhance their experience.
Oromia Deputy Tourism Commissioner Nega Wedajo stressed that Ethiopia, though home to Africa’s largest airline and vast tourism potential, falls short of expected revenue. He highlighted ongoing digitalisation efforts, including the creation of over 80 terabytes of photo and video content and the promotion of regional attractions through dedicated websites. Two villages have already been internationally registered as tourism destinations.