Several US tourists, who recently visited sites in northern Ethiopia, on Saturday pledged to promote the attractions in Ethiopia among the people in their country.

Expressing readiness to attract more tourists to Ethiopia, the US tourists also indicated the need for Ethiopia to add on the tourism infrastructure and improve tourist facilities in order to draw increased benefits from its remarkable attractions.

The US tourists said they would lure fellow citizens to come to Ethiopia, which they said have a lot to offer for international tourists.

They said they wanted to come again to Ethiopia by organizing tourists' groups to explore the country's numerous attractions.

They acknowledged Ethiopia houses stunning historical and cultural heritage worth coming to look at from afar and that the hospitality they received at hotels in Ethiopia was superb.

They expressed appreciation to the self-employed youths at the tourist sites who eke out a living from selling various local goods and supporting visitors.

However, they said, the country should consider upgrading its tourism facilities to international standards with a view to attracting increased number of tourists and draw as much foreign currency as possible from its tourism potential.

They also indicated the need for the country to expand banking, health and other services near tourist sites.

"Tourism infrastructure should be built in tune with the natural, cultural and historical features unique to each environment where attractions are available," they said.

A guide working with Hess Tour Operator, Getachew Eshetu, on his part stressed the need for the country to attach priority attention to draw maximum benefits from its tourism potentials, which he said would significantly supplement the ongoing development endeavors.

With much less tourism resources, Kenya has managed to draw gains much more than Ethiopia has done because it provides tourism infrastructure that consider comfort to visitors in addition to considerations of proper handling of tourism resources, said Getachew.

In Ethiopia, the main tourist destination at the moment is the northern historic route encompassing Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Makalle and Lalibela. Addis Ababa, the principal gateway to Ethiopia being a business center and a conference venue as well, is in its own right a major destination.

The other destinations chiefly include the wildlife centers along the Great Rift Valley and the south-west, and the eastern historic area of Harrar.

The total number of international tourist arrivals in Ethiopia, although growing, is by no means commensurate with the potentials of the country's attractions. The present constraints to growth are identified largely as shortage of tourist facilities and limited promotion.

Source: Xinhua