Sustainable rural tourism development in Ethiopia: Leveraging economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and cultural heritage

Ethiopia's rural tourism sector, despite its potential for sustainable development, faces significant challenges that hinder its growth. A recent study identifies strong foundational elements such as economic growth, improved infrastructure, and cultural heritage—including 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites—as key enablers. However, obstacles like inadequate infrastructure, limited marketing, restricted financing, ethnic conflicts, environmental degradation, and poor stakeholder cooperation impede progress. The research proposes a comprehensive model addressing these barriers through strategic investments in infrastructure, enhanced marketing, access to finance, conflict resolution, sustainable practices, stakeholder coordination, and supportive policies. This model is not only applicable to Ethiopia but also to other developing economies with similar contexts, offering a blueprint for leveraging rural tourism to foster economic development, community well-being, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.

Yasin, A. S., Gebbisa, M. B., & Bacsi, Z. (2024). Sustainable rural tourism development in Ethiopia: Leveraging economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and cultural heritage. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(15), 9895. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd9895