Ethiopia open to tourists, visitors from Qatar: Envoy

Addis Ababa, June 27, 2021 (FBC) – Ethiopian ambassador to Qatar Samia Zekaria has urged travellers to explore the many tourist places in the country as pandemic restrictions are being eased globally.

Dubbed the cradle of humanity, Ethiopia has a rich history and remarkable biodiversity reflected in a tally of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites — more than any other country in Africa and famously known for its coffee.

During a dinner reception hosted by the embassy to highlight the features of the country, the ambassador said visitors from Qatar, both citizens, and residents can visit Ethiopia to explore the country’s rich heritage.

Speaking to the media after the event, she said, “The aim was to promote Ethiopian tourism in Qatar. We have many tourist areas in Ethiopia, and we want to invite businessmen, ambassadors, academia, and other visitors.”

Tourism plays a significant role in Ethiopia’s GDP, contributing $7.4bn to the country’s economy in 2018, an increase of $2.2bn in 2017, according to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) statistics.

The ambassador highlighted the country’s strategic location on the horn of Africa between the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, making it ideal for investors.

“Ethiopia is a country in motion with positive energy for investors. Thanks to its strategic location in the crossroads between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, Addis Ababa is an air transportation hub of Africa. Ethiopia, with its friendly hospitality, is always ready to welcome tourists and investors.”

“I would like to invite you to visit Ethiopia, the land of origins, to taste the Ethiopian cuisine, enjoy coffee Arabica from its origin and walk on the footprints of your ancestors,” she said.

The Ethiopian envoy emphasised that visitors from Qatar can travel via Qatar Airways or Ethiopian Airlines, which operate six flights a week, collectively.

“We have various cultures in Ethiopia distinguished by dialects, ways of dressing, and religion. We have over 80 different languages in Ethiopia.”

The event was attended by ambassadors, international organisations, agencies, professors from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and business promoters, according to the Peninsula.