Tourism Industry and Investment Opportunities

The main objective of the economic policy of the country is geared towards attaining sustainable economic growth through the direct participation of the private sector. Accordingly, the Region Bureau of Culture and Tourism has encouraged private investors to develop facilities and infrastructure around tourist destinations of the Region. In this case, the Region Investment Expansion Core Process may let sites for the construction of lodges, hotels, restaurants and other similar investments around attraction sites, based on the recommendation of the Bureau of Culture and Tourism. The bureau has also encouraged the private sector to develop tourist facilities within in wildlife conservation areas managed by the Regional State to facilitate tourism activities and secure financial returns from the protected areas.  In this case, the Region TPDUP and each of the wildlife conservation areas management identify the proper sites and may provide the sites to investor, in accordance to the wildlife act (Regulation), for the erection of hotels or other accommodation facilities in the conservation area. Establishment and operation of such facilities will be done in a manner not detrimental to the proper wildlife management.

There are many Investments opportunities in and around attraction sites of the region different Zones and Special Weredas related with services rendering facilities and infrastructure development.  As mentioned above, in the wildlife protected area management planning process, the Region TPDUP consider  identifying  potential sites for the development of quality eco-friendly tourist accommodation facilities.

Currently, the Region has strong intention to form partnership with potential private investors to develop these sites and secure additional income from the operation for an agreed period.

Accordingly, the Region would like to invite interested investor to be involved in the development of tourist accommodation in the Region Wildlife Protected Area. These may include lodges, Eco-lodges, Luxury tented camps, Cottages, Motels, Camp Site, and Bungalows.

Nowadays, the Regional state is doing its level best to enhance the flow of tourists and encourage local and foreign direct investment. The Regional tourism investment potentials has been studied & consolidated, Regional Guideline for the developmental investors in the wild life protected areas has been prepared, and Regional Tourism policy & strategy documents have been developed. Different incentive mechanisms have been identified to be offered to all investors involved in tourism related investments.

Some of these incentives include:

• Conducive investment Regulations & Directives has been formulated
• Land for tourism investment is demarcated in Debube Omo, Gamo-Gofa, Bench-Maji, Gedeo, Wolyita, Sidama, and Gurage zones.
• Land is exempted from rent & tax for about three year
• .Imported vehicle /one pick up/ & other related machineries are exempted from tax.
• Land rent is minimum/.01 birr/sq.m or 120USD /ha annually/
• Efficient service delivery system is put in place
•  Guidelines for concessionaires are formulated for who intend to put up tourist facilities and operate in the regionally administered National Parks & wild life reserves. _uacct = "UA-263759-3";urchinTracker();