Sustainable Tourism Development on Water Front Tourism and Hospitality Practices at the Tourist Destination Site: The Case of Bahirdar City, Ethiopia

Abstract

Waterfront tourism development is now becoming one of the fashion practices which are held at the water front areas. Bahirdar is one of the best places to ensure of waterfront development. The main objective of the study is to assess the negative impacts of waterfront activities for sustainable tourism development, to assess the tourist attractions around the water front, to indicate solutions through identifying the key stakeholders. Descriptive research design was employed. The research approach was qualitative. Findings revealed that Lack of awareness about the ecotourism concepts, negative impacts of tourism on the waterfront bodies, lack of sufficient GIS application professionals, lack of the long term plan developed for the waterfront area, environmental impact assessment is not developed, lack of developing environmental auditing. The study also identified key responsible actors to take measurable action on different issues of the water front tourism practices.

Keywords: Bahirdar, waterfront tourism, sustainable tourism development, Lake Tana.

DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/55-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2021