A Review Paper on Challenges and Opportunities for Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people, and Community-based ecotourism (CBE), on the other hand, is a very specific form of ecotourism which is used to describe ecotourism ventures that are characterized by high environmental consideration, increased control and involvement of the local residents, as well as significant benefits for the host community. Ethiopia, due to its magnificent natural and cultural tourism resources, has huge potential to become one of an ideal ecotourism destinations in the world, and there are some promising 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 is to examine the challenges and opportunities for Community Based Ecotourism development in Ethiopia. By its methodological approach, this review is Narrative review since the reviewer summarized the findings of empirical researches which were done in different parts of Ethiopia, and a total of 13 researches were reviewed. The findings from the review of different studies revealed poor ecotourism infrastructure and facilities (trekking pass, parking facilities, all weather roads, camping sites, clean water, electricity and health and other facilities), conflict of interest over resource usage and lack of trained manpower as the major hindering factors for community based ecotourism development in Ethiopia. Moreover, the results from the review also identified the presence of abundant ecotourism resources, proximity to honeypot areas and enabling policy environments as the major prospects for community based ecotourism development in Ethiopia.

Keywords: challenges, opportunities, community based ecotourism.