The Role of Local Community in the Implementation of Ethiopian Tourism Development Policy: The Case of Harari People Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to assess the role of local community in implementing the Ethiopian tourism development policy in Harari people regional state, Harar city. To achieve the research objective data was collected from randomly selected residents that involve in filling the questionnaire designed for the study. Interviews and observations were also carried out to support data collected using the questionnaire. Besides, the study employed concurrent mixed approached with the aim of triangulating quantitative by qualitative data. The finding of the study revealed that local communities have good awareness about their role in tourism policy implementation although the experts are complaining about its adequacy. Community participation is found to be also affected be participatory public administration, community awareness, and participation approach. Furthermore, during the tourism policy implementation limited of awareness, coordination and cooperation, trained professional as well as shortage of budget were mention among the challenges of policy implementation. From this it can be concluded that all stakeholders have to play their role in promoting local community participation in the region to reap the advantages of the policy.

Keywords: local community, Ethiopian tourism development policy, implementation, role

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/12-1-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2022