On behalf of the Regional Bureau of Culture and Tourism, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the lands of diverse culture and nature through our official website (southtourism.gov.et).
The SNNPRS is one of the Federal Regional States of Ethiopia endowed with diverse natural, cultural, and historical resources. The Region is well known for its abundant actual and potential tourist destinations in the country. It is unique in taking up the highest diversity of nations, nationalities, and peoples. Each of them has their own colorful culture, language, norms, and life styles together with the diverse oral traditions, social practices, traditional crafts, arts, indigenous knowledge, and other living expressions. The Region has rich tangible historic & cultural heritages including the ancient monasteries, mosque, stelae, paleo-anthropological sites. Moreover, two of the eight world heritage sites of the country: Tia and Lower Omo anthropological sites found in the Region indicating the outstanding international value of Region’s heritages. There are also two more universally important historic & cultural sites, which are in the process and proposed to be World Heritage Sites: the Konso Cultural landscapes and Gedeo Agro forestry system, for their better protection and development. The former (Konso Cultural landscape) management plan and nomination file has completed and pending its final declaration by UNESCO.
Owing to the unique geographical variations (rugged landscapes, mountains) associated with the Great Rift Valley and its Lakes as well as the numerous Rivers and streams; the Region is endowed with wide spectrum of wildlife resources. The wildlife resources of the Region mainly restricted in seven National Parks, two Wildlife-Reserves, one wildlife Sanctuary and six Controlled Hunting Areas as well as 10 Important Bird Areas. There are also different recently established community based wildlife conservation areas which are managed by the community themselves.
It is my desire that all tourists to enjoy the special things that the Region has to offer. Tourism is a growing industry and has gradually become as one of the foreign exchange earner in the Rregion and the country. This is mainly due to the continuation of peace and stability in the country and continuous government commitment to provide enabling environments for the sector development
Looking the tourism potential of the Region, investing in the tourism industry is becoming very attractive with aggressive marketing and diversification of source markets. There are many investments opportunities in and around attraction-sites of the Region related with services rendering facilities and infrastructure development. Accordingly, the Bureau would like to invite interested investor to be involved in the development of tourist accommodation including hotels, restaurants, pension, lodges, Eco-lodges, luxury tented camps, cottages,. Moreover, there are enormous opportunities in the area of film production, recreation, and entertainment as well as facilitation in the area of conference tourism.
I would like to aware you that Potential investors are highly encouraged to be involved in the tourism development through direct investments or joint ventures with Ethiopian entrepreneurs. The Bureau has a strong believe that such investment interventions would have paramount importance to change the rich wealthy for social & economic development and make certain sustainable tourism development in the Region.
The Region has a lot to offer, invest, and derive benefit using the untapped rich resources through promoting sustainable tourism.
Almaz Beyero
Head of
Culture and Tourism Bureau of SNNPRs |
