With the feeling that perhaps Ethiopia is over the worst of the pandemic, Ethiopia is now getting back to work. The State of Emergency was not renewed in early September, Government offices are gradually opening with different offices set to open over the coming month, and the country is now opening for tourism.
However, it comes as no surprise that there are almost no international tourists, band this does mean that the tourism industry is on its knees. Guides, scouts, cooks, drivers and hotel workers have often not had any source of income since mid March. It is essential that these tourism workers begin to earn some money. Ethiopia desperately needs its own people to support this sector. This is the time for people living in Addis and the other cities to Travel out to Help Out! And what a time to do it: all of the tourism sites are empty. So you can visit and take your family to see Lalibela, the Simiens, Gondar and the rest of Ethiopia’s wonderful heritage – without having a crowd of tourists around you.
Right now hotels and businesses are offering good packages as they recognise the vital importance of getting some work through, and keeping the whole supply chain going. Otherwise it will be really hard to gear up when tourism does take off, and in the meantime the personal suffering of individuals will be enormous. So PLEASE consider head out of Addis for a long weekend, and maybe in the December / January holidays travel out again. There is so much to see, and in all tourist sites you will be welcomed with open arms.
Coming soon – a sponsored bike ride to help guides, scouts, cooks and others struggling with the lack of any tourism income.