Review on Potentials Resources and Challenges for Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia

Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improves the well-being of local community. Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is a form of ecotourism in which the community has substantial control over it, and the majority of the benefits remain in the community . Ethiopia is a country having enormous potential of ecotourism resource including cultural, historical, archaeological and natural resources which are ideal for the development of sustainable community-based ecotourism projects. There are some community-based ecotourism initiatives in different parts of the country such as Adaba -Dodola, Semen Mountains National Park, Wonchi Crater Lake and Adwa. The objective of this review paper was to examine the challenges and potentials for Community Based Ecotourism development in Ethiopia. The findings from this review showed that, Lack of cooperation among stakeholders conflicts of interest over resource usage and a severe lack of trained manpower in tourism professions as being the major obstacles that hinders community-based ecotourism development in Ethiopia.

stability and the market liberalization that attracted a large number of business, conference and vacation tourists. The tourism industry declined following the downfall of Derg due to the destruction of parks as a reflection of the communities opposition against the regime. The surrounding communities cleared forests and parks and converted it to agricultural land and settlements. However, immediately following the transition period, some policy measures were taken, even if recovery of economic losses took a little bit longer. Of particular significance was the declaration of new economic policy under proclamation No. 15/1992. This policy measure made radical shift from command economy to free market which further intensified private investments. Closely linked, Ethiopian Tourism Commission (established by the Derg) was strengthened, to be in charge of tourism investment initiatives, and supervising the establishment and operation of tourism and hospitality facilities, which later transformed into the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Under this circumstance, one that drew considerable attention was the implementation of decentralization policy, which provides each regional governments of the country an opportunity to develop the tourism potentiality of their respective area. Then after, independently exercised tourism offices in each region was established under proclamation No. 41/1993.68 (Temesgen , 2014. The country's relative stability, free market economy, and free entry of foreigners despite differences in ideology, religion and race, increase the international tourism market led to the unprecedented rise in the number of international tourist arrivals from roughly 81,581 in 1991 to 139,000 in 1997. However Ethiopia's tourism was challenged between the year of 1998-2000 ,this was due to the outbreak of the Ethio-Eritrean war for unresolved border dispute with neighboring Eritrea in that period .Therefore, the first sharp decline during this period was seen for the past two years (1998)(1999)(2000), when international tourist arrival figures dropped progressively from 139,000 in 1997 to 112,000 in 1998. During 2000 the two countries came into cold peace and the tourism industry was recovered. Following the government obtained assistance from the World Bank and IMF, which offered the government an opportunity to strengthen its efforts on the development of the socio-economic sector. It was the most promising route out of economic deprivation. This laid the foundation for the post-war expansion of tourist travel and the unprecedented rise in the number of tourist arrivals in Ethiopia from 135,954 in 2000 to 148,386 in 2001 source: (Birtukan, 2018).

Development of ecotourism in Ethiopia
Ecotourism is the new concept in Ethiopia and it is difficult to explain its significance accomplishment since the approach of ecotourism is not widely distributed in Ethiopia. The government of Ethiopia also has recognized development and promotion of ecotourism and provided consultancy services for a number of potential developers of ecotourism sites. Although, developers and policy makers do not properly take the idea of ecotourism, the ideas of ecotourism started by investors to involve in development of ecotourism in different regions of Ethiopia. Bishangari Eco-Lodge located at Eastern of Langano Lake in Oromia Region and Village Ethiopia located at Afar Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports www.iiste.org ISSN (Paper) 2312-5187 ISSN (Online) 2312-5179 An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol.49, 2020 Region (Bilen) are examples of these private ecotourism developments in Ethiopia (Theodros, 2004). LUPO also aims to create alternative income generating means such as ecotourism to reduce the pressure on the natural resources of land through conducting a pre-feasibility study of proposed areas on the potentials of ecotourism (Scwenk, 2002).

Community Based Ecotourism in Ethiopia
Community Based Eco-tourism is relatively very young in Ethiopia. There are numerous community based ecotourism initiatives and associations doing well all across the country. The specific location of these active Community based ecotourism (CBEs), include; Simien and Bale Mountains national parks, Menze Guassa, Lake Tana, Lalibela Meket in north Wollo (Amahara region) Lake Ziway and Langano, Lake Hawassa, Abune Yossef , Mekedella, Adawa(Tigray region) and Yirgalem, Wonchi Crater Lake (near Ambo, Oromia Region), Adaba -Dodola. Although these initiatives are not well integrated in the mainstream tourism marketing, many of these CBEs can be very good models to expand CBEs to the rest of the country as the country is endowed with huge nature-based tourism potential (Sisay,2004) as cited in (Sewnet,2017).

Potential Resource for Community based Ecotourism in Ethiopia
Ethiopia possesses remarkable tourism potential in its unique and largely unexplored cultural, historical, archaeological and natural resources. Those resources are key to attract visitors and are the basis on which to build a strong tourism industry. With its 3,000 years of history and more than 80 ethnic communities each with their own distinct languages, cultures and traditions'. Scenic, climatic, therapeutic, flora and fauna resources such a unique combination of attractions within a single country has no match on the African continent (MOCT, 2006).
The country has abundant parks and reserves to shelter its flora and fauna. Community based Ecotourism represents an approach to tourism that emphasizes on environmental and cultural preservation. It highlights opportunities for tourists and other visitors to experience aspects of the country's ecology and natural attractions as well as unique features of its archaeology, history and culture. The following category specifies the major community-based Ecotourism potentials in Ethiopia (MOCT, 2006). Different heritages of Ethiopia have been registered as world heritage sites by United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), namely Simien MountainNational Park (1978) Ethiopia has many attractive mountains like The Bale and Semien Mountains, mountains in wag and lasta, Northeastern Tigrai the Irob region, Chilalo Mountains in Arsi, Ziquala peaks and Fantalle in Awash national park ,these places are best suitable for individual trekkers, hiking parties and for professional climbers. Ethiopia's lakes such as Abijata shala , Rift valley , Wenchi , Hawasa have varied features of great interests to Eco tourists: these includes: birds, wildlife, vegetation, colorful ethnic groups, historic churches and monasteries, unusual geologic features and much more. Extensive and nice looking Ethiopia's national parks, like Nechsar, Mago, Omo, Awash, Bale mountain,semien mountain,chebera cherchora, yangudi rassa ,Nechsar , gambela, maze, kafta shiraro, etc and wild life sanctuaries such as sankele (Swaynes heartbeest) ,Babile (elephant), kuni muktar(mountain nyala), Didessa,yabelo,Stephanie are spectacular places for Eco tourists to watch the real African big wild life and enjoy the breathtaking surrounding landscapes . The underground cave and rock arts of Sof Omer in Bale, Lega goda at the vicinity of Dire dawa, Shebe found at a short distance from Dila town are places to admire the works of nature, rock paintings and carvings of people and animals. Battle sites like Adowa and Maqdala and places of significant political events like Boru Meda, Entoto, and Ankober etc are most interesting sites for history loving Eco tourists.different historic site like: shek hussien shrine, aksum oblesskis, roch hewan church of lalibela, are some of the potential site that our country have for community based ecotourism (Henze, 2007).
Ethiopia is renowned for its traditional festivals that in most cases reproduce traditions that have been maintained for centuries. The following are the most important:  Timket: Ethiopian Epiphany (January)  Gena: Ethiopian Christmas in Lalibela (January)  Meskel: the finding of the True Cross (September) listed as Intangible World Heritage by UNESCO in 2013  Thanksgiving to the Oromo supreme God "Waqa" annually at Hora (Lake Arsedi) in Bishoftu Town during the first week of October  Sidama Nation New Year Festival  Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day; the event to experience Ethiopia on one stage (December)  Ashenda and Shaday in Tigray and Amhara regions, respectively  Ashura in Harar are some of the basis for community-based ecotourism development in Ethiopia.

Challenges of Community Based Ecotourism in Ethiopia 4.1. Conflict of interest over resource usage
Conflict is the major challenge for developing community-based ecotourism, in Ethiopia, for instance in the Awash Park area. The Park management faces the inter ethnic conflict between Kerreyu, Ittu and Afar pastoralists for the traditional resource ownership rights of dry season grazing and access to water points. Particularly, a prolonged drought usually worsens the conflict between these rival groups. Conflict with the Park scouts and the local Pastoralist is usual in the park. Employees of the Park are also under big threat. Since the majority of the Park area is out of control of the Park administration, most of the time ethnic groups used the core wildlife area inside the Park as a battle field which usually resulted wildlife habitat destruction, wildlife killing and migration. Hence the Park is unable to ensure the safety of tourists within the protected areas. The threat of being robbed while visiting or traveling to the Park reduced the number of international and domestic visitors alike. Thus, security related concerns are big challenges to develop Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) in such area (Alamayew, 2011). (Bires ,2014) in his study revealed that there was a serious ownership problem between the church communities and the government, particularly the Banja Woreda Culture and Tourism Office. Inline with this , (Ketema ,2015) also found that there was a conflict of interest on the ownership of Wonchi Crater Lake which is situated in Oromia Regional State, in central Ethiopia. In addition, (Ambelu ,2011) in his study in Meket Wollo, Amhara Region in Northern Ethiopia, identified land ownership issues as challenge for the development of community lodges in some of the ecotourism sites.

Lack of Cooperation among Stakeholders
Lack of stakeholder's integration is one of challenges for Community Based Ecotourism development in different parts of Ethiopia and also globally. For instance, (Ambelu ,2011) revealed that a lack of cooperation and a solid formal relationship between the community tourism enterprises and other stakeholders was identified as a 'bottleneck' in the study area. Similarly (Berhanu ,2013), in his study at Alatish National Park, identified weak integration among different stakeholders and the park office as abottleneck for community-based ecotourism development. Berhanu stated that the buffer zone of the park was managed only by the North Gondar Natural Resource Management office without integrations with the park office, and moreover, the Justice Office considers criminal cases such as illegal hunting, fishing and other unsustainable resource utilization as minor cases and sometimes such cases are left to gap without either any formal sanction or penalty in evidence. In other studies, (Alemayehu ,2011 andAynalem ,2013) have also reported a lack of stakeholder cooperation as a m,ajor obstacles for community-based ecotourism development in their study areas.

Lack of awareness and limited participation
In developing countries like Ethiopia, Lack of awareness and experience of local community, limit the understanding of potential impacts of tourism development , lack of awareness and experience may hesitate community capacity to benefit from tourism development opportunities.Community based ecotourism development encourages a local community's participation and they also benefit in sharing activities, and also enhance their understanding about the natural and cultural resource conservation initiatives. However, most of ecotourism destinations in Ethiopia are not in line with the principles of community-based ecotourism. Most of the local people had no awareness about ecotourism in general and community-based Ecotourism in particular, and they did not participate at any stage in park management decisions (Alemayehu, 2011) . Similarly, ( Demeke and Verma ,2014), in their study in the Bale Mountains National Park, found that respondents did not participate in any ecotourism activities although they wished to participate, which could be attributed to the limited flow of tourists in the study area.

Lack of basic ecotourism infrastructure and facilities
Basic ecotourism facilities such as accommodation, transportation, health services and other support facilities are essential to enhance the satisfaction of eco tourists and to maximize the length of stay of tourists to any area. However, the findings of this review indicated that most of the ecotourism destinations in Ethiopia are devoid of these facilities and services. For instance, (Ketema ,2015) stated that there is a dire absence of well-designed trekking passes, parking facilities, camping sites and effective land use planning alongside the lake. Ketema has also mentioned that there is a lack of transportation and comfortable roads, and there are no eco-lodges andcatering facilities around the lake. Similarly, (Eshetie ,2012) also stated that a lack of basic facilities such as electricity, an effective road network to and from Borena Sayint National Park and health stations, are other major problems encountered. (Bires ,2014) in his study of Lake Zegena in Amhara Regional state, revealed a shortage of sufficient potable water, a lack of electricity, toilets and other important facilities that tourists require to make their trips memorable.
Furthermore, (Berhanu ,2013) has also reported that poor health and accommodation services, very limited Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports www.iiste.org ISSN (Paper) 2312-5187 ISSN (Online) 2312-5179 An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol.49, 2020 6 shopping, banking and postal services, the absence of all-weather roads, and no telecommunication service in all kebeles of Quara wereda except Gelegu town, are all huge problems requiring urgent support. (Demeke andVerma ,2014 andAlemayehu, 2011) also identified limited transportation and accommodation facilities as a challenge for CBET in their study area. (Alemayehu ,2011) asserts that the community has an acute shortage of clean water and local people who reside adjacent to the park are forced to use the irrigation canal for themselves and for their livestock. (Ayinalem ,2013) also revealed that tourism infrastructure like accommodation establishments, road transportation, and other destination facilities and services are very poor and limited in number in his study areas.

Lack of trained manpower
Lack of skilled human resources is the major challenges facing the tourism industry in the country. The country has, for instance, a limited number of institutions offering tourism training programmes both at the graduate and post graduate levels and at the certificate and diploma levels (World Bank, 2006). Tourism professional plays a vital role for the development of ecotourism site since they can know how to plan and organize tourism initiatives in effective manner. (Alemayehu ,2011), on his study at Awash national park. pointed out that there was no ecotourism expert or consultant who was in charge of ecotourism or community-based ecotourism activities in Awash National Park as a result tourism aspect were not well managed. (Bires, 2014) also stated a shortage of tourism professionals in his study area. (Ambelu ,2011) also reported that at District/woreda level, culture and tourism offices have only three staff where the manager is possibly working on the political issues while the rest, namely two employees, are responsible for a collection of works found in the office and the poor qualifications of the staff is also a big challenges for CBET development of the study area.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This review attempts to examine the potentials and challenges of Community Based Ecotourism development in Ethiopia. The review showed that Ethiopia has huge attractive natural and cultural potential resource needed for community-based ecotourism development. These includes historical, cultural, archaeological, anthropological, scenic, climatic, therapeutic, flora and fauna resources and lakes that is source of fish species, , cultural food and drink of local community, traditional festivals are valuable opportunities that empower development of community based ecotourism, However having these potential resource community-based ecotourism development is constrained in Ethiopia due to the following factors:  Lack of community knowledge about community-based ecotourism  Limitations in community capacity building from government organizations  Lack of community social infrastructures that had lead local community to destructions potential resource of study area.  Lack of promotions of the study area potential resource for tourism  Lack of cooperation's among community and governmental and private organizations to are the obstacles that hinders development of community based ecotourism in Ethiopia.
6. Future work of line  It has to have broader awareness creation program for the wider communities towards the tourism business and its impacts on their lives by providing adequate trainings.  To ensure community-based ecotourism in Ethiopia, local communities must undergo various capability-building programs.  Local community social infrastructural service should be provided in order to reduce community dependence on Natural resources.  A further investigation is needed to identify and promote potential resource of community-based ecotourism