Heritage resources as a driver of cultural tourism development in Ethiopia: A review

Abstract

Ethiopia is a lucky and nature-gifted country that is endowed with an outstanding, diverse, and the product of different ethnic group assets of heritages. These heritages are the manifestation of those societies’ cultural identity and national pride. Both tangible and intangible heritages are the main assets to drive visitors to those destinations and attractions. Based on tourism, the country can achieve sustainable cultural tourism with sustainable socio-economic development. Therefore, heritage resources are the key to achieving sustainable cultural tourism where this paper tried to assess Ethiopian Cultural heritage resources as a driver of Cultural tourism development by stating their qualities. To attain the set goal, the study implements a qualitative research approach and uses content analyses to analyze literature from journals, thesis, and books on heritage studies that are taken from Academia, Google Scholar, Science direct, and Research gate. The scope of the study revolved around only eight tangible cultural heritages of the country which are enlisted in UNESCO as a world heritage sites. The reviewed literature revealed that the cultural heritages of Ethiopia contributed to the development of sustainable cultural tourism but it did not achieve the expected result because of different factors. The author recommended that the stakeholders must create a sustainable tourism policy to achieve sustainable cultural tourism in the country.

Keywords:

• tourism
• heritage resources
• culture
• cultural tourism
• Ethiopia

PUBLIC INTEREST STATMENT

Ethiopia is gifted with unique and marvelous heritages that include cultural landscapes; rock-cut churches, parks, paleo-anthropological sites, & historic cities. Hence, Ethiopia is identified, cherished, and has become renowned as a tourist destination across the world. Based on this view, assessing cultural tourism development is the target of this study where the country is endowed with these heritages that are the cornerstone for cultural tourism development in the study area as well as provide an opportunity for consumption and participation in culture-related activities for visitors.

Acknowledgements

I have big honor for my Staff member, Anwar Ayano who initiated me to write this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Getahun Worku Tadesse

Getahun Worku is a lecturer of Historic Archaeology at Werabe University, Ethiopia. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in History and Heritage Management and a master of Art in Historic Archaeology. He taught for more than four years at this institution. His research areas of interest revolve around Historic Archaeology, Museum Studies, Visual Art, and Heritage Conservation.