ECTT-GLOBAL TOURISM INSTITUTION CHOOSES ADDIS ABABA AND DJIBOUTI TO HOST WORLD TOURISM DAY 2020

Djibouti and Addis Ababa were selected as the host cities and nations for the celebration of World Tourism Day 2020 on the theme ‘Tourism: Building Peace! Fostering Knowledge!

Celebrated every September 27 around the world, the purpose of World Tourism Day at European Council on Tourism and Trade is to foster awareness among the international community on the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. 

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Main world tourism and culture awards ceremonies slated for 2020:

World Capital of Culture and Tourism

World`s Best Tourist Destination Award

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The event seeks to address the global challenges outlined in the programme for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) and highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.

Each year, the global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy invite`s peoples and organizations of all backgrounds involved in tourism and cultural promotion to hold and take part in World Tourism Day celebrations in their respective countries or holiday destinations. 

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More information on Djibouti tourism potential and strategy can be extracted from these sources:

DJIBOUTI: WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

SIX ARGUMENTS THAT BODE WELL FOR DJIBOUTI`S TOURISM FUTURE

WHAT YOU DIDN`T KNOW ABOUT DJIBOUTI 

AFRICAN TOURISM ON THE RISE

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Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the global tourism institutions European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy issues a message each year to mark the occasion and chairs the official celebrations. 


In 2019 at the initiative of President of European Council on Tourism and Trade was decided to mark the celebration by awarding the title of TOURISM PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR to personalities at the frontline of tourism and cultural promotion, people involved in bringing to the fore previously unknowned destinations and landmarks of historical importance and place them in the tourism circulation. 

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More information on ADDIS ABABA as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM are available here:

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

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In 2020 for World Tourism Day celebrations another series of the nominations for TOURISM PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR will be announced.   

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List of world-wide events for celebration of WORLD TOURISM 2020 at European Council on Tourism and Trade:

 WORLD TOURISM DAY 2020

 BUILDING PEACE! FOSTERING KNOWLEDGE!-WORLD TOURISM DAY THEME

 WORLD TOURISM DAY 2020 ON FACEBOOK

DJIBOUTI&ADDIS ABABA MODELS FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY 2020 

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ABBA JIFAR PALACE IN JIMMA RECEIVES THE VISIT OF EUROPEAN PRESIDENT PROFESSOR DR. ANTON CARAGEA

During an official visit to Ethiopia, ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had visited the city of Jimma in the State of Oromia and visited the famous Abba Jifar Palace and Museum in a bid th evaluate the potential of tourism development in Oromo State of F.D.R. Ethiopia.

Abba Jifar II-the ruler of a powerful Oromo Kingdom (XIX-XX century) centered around Jimma city.

President Dr. Anton Caragea also  inaugurated the celebrations marking the inscription of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia`s capital on the WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM list and have a line of high level talks in order to address the advancement of tourism in Ethiopia and the key role of the sector in the country’s socio-economic development. (Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 30 January-8 February 2019).

Upon an invitation by H.E. Mrs. Sahle Work Zewde F.D.R Ethiopia President, European Council on Tourism and Trade President H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had visited Ethiopia at the head of a high level delegation.

European Council on Tourism and Trade President Dr. Anton Caragea commended Ethiopia for the political support awarded to the tourism sector and in particular for integrating tourism as part of its development policy.

In 2015 after the decision taken by the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select Ethiopia as the receiver of the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATIONaward the country registered an influx of over 1 million tourists and earned more than 2 billion dollars in 2015/2016 tourism year, numbers never achieved before and after in the Ethiopia`s tourism history.

The Head of Global Tourism Institution-ECTT H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives the start of Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism Festival and of Addis Ababa-WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM manifestations.

The decision to inscribe Addis Ababa as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM will give a new impetus to the country and support is further development appreciated President Dr. Anton Caragea.

 

The Ethiopia`s President received also the Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development highlighting Ethiopian government responsibilities for protecting culture and heritage and using tourism as a tool for development of their nation.

The Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development is calling on Heads of States and Government to “promote the value of the tourism sector in advancing sustainable tourism development”.

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MARKING ADDIS ABABA ROLE AS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: H.E. PRESIDENT SAHLE WORK ZEWDE

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: ADDIS ABABA GOVERNMENT HEAD TAKLE BENTI UMA

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An extensive cultural programme was carved out for President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegates  and destined to offer them an extensive Ethiopian experience.

European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates having in the center Mr. Mark Doda-Head of Balkan Tourism Organization are enjoying an interesting cultural show in Ethiopia`s capital: Addis Ababa.

The European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation visited the provinces of Kaffa and Jimma in the FDR Ethiopia State of Oromia , the birth place of coffee and the famous Palace of Abba Jifar located in Jimma.

Jimma and Oromia Region tourism potential and Abba Jiffar Museum as well as the city open markets left an indelible mark on the delegates who appreciated the city architecture and elegance and Islamic heritage potential and valued the impressive remains of the Abba Jifar palace towering over the city.

The ECTT delegation enjoyed also an exclusive tour of the tourism and cultural potential of Addis Ababa environs like the natural crater lakes of Bishoftu and the splendid religious and cultural complex of Debre Libanos.

Debre Libanos unique role in Ethiopian Church development and the rich museum collections of the Debre Libanos Monastery are powerful elements destined to make the area a hot tourism spot.

In the familiarization tour around Addis Ababa the delegation had explored the Addis Ababa City Museum, The Ethnographic Museum (hosted in former Imperial palace Genet Leul,  Haile Selassie Museum, National Museum etc.) the Saint George Cathedral and Holy Trinity and Entoto Heritage Area (encompassing the Palace of Emperor Menelik II, Churches Myriam Entoto and Saints Raguel and Elias).

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized the importance for future of Addis Ababa of better highlighting and package the impressive potential of the tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area.

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized as urgency the enacted as a special tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area, in order to ensure its better protection and tourism role in development of Addis Ababa and highly valued the decision taken by the new dispensation of the Head of Government of Adds Ababa Takele Uma Benti to promote a safe and cultural oriented tourism in the city.

President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea receives an Ethiopian art work from Head of Addis Ababa City Government Eng. Takele Uma Benti. 

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You can read more about the letter for tourism and development leaders on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

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President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea delegation included: the Director of European Tourism Academy, Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director for Hospitality and Development Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Mr. Vasile Vlasin-Head of Investment Division in European Council on Tourism and Trade and former Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Mark Doda, Chairman of Balkan Tourism Organization.

ECTT and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of cultural protection, historical promotion, sustainable tourism development, public-private partnerships and marketing strategies etc.

The Photo Album of the Addis Ababa-World Capital of Culture and Tourism is accessible here

The Photo Dossier of the Global Tourism Institution visit to Addis Ababa is available here

TRAVELERS GUIDE TO ADDIS ABABA. WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

Addis Ababa is opening the gates of an ancient and mystical world, and was recently named WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM by the ECTT-global tourism institution and today  the megapolis is preparing to welcome an increased number of tourists transforming it in the main tourist capital of Africa.

In 2015 after the country was elected as WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION of the year an estimated 1 million tourists visited the African nation.

In order to help tourists discover what the global tourism institutions calls a perfect city for tourism, discovery and culture lovers we have gathered in a pocket guide the main highlights of this buoyant African capital, the political center of Africa Union, the host to UN Economic Agency for Africa and by now the European Council on Tourism and Trade registered WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
ADDIS-ABABA: A CITY IMBUED WITH HISTORY.

Kidus Raguel church on Entoto: a testimony of the 550 years of political existence of Addis Ababa.

 

In 2019 and 2020 Addis Ababa is celebrating 550 years of historical continuity starting with a medieval presence in the Entoto Hills above Addis Ababa confirmed by the existence of the ruined rock-hewn churches of Washa Mikael and Kidus Raguel.

The hills also host the city’s oldest functioning church, Entoto Maryam, a traditionally painted octagon perched on the site where Emperor Menelik II was crowned in 1889.

Emperor Menelik II, the father of modern Addis Ababa, adorned the city with a host of religious monuments like: St George’s Cathedral later served as the coronation site of Empress Zewditu and Emperor Haile Selassie. Selassie (Trinity) Cathedral, with its intricate facade, is where the famed Emperor Haile Selassie has been laid for his final rest.

St George’s Cathedral build in honor of the Adowa victory (1896) over Italian imperialism, victory that market the survival of Ethiopia as an independent African nation.

Nearby Church of Beata Maryam, noted for its beautifully painted interior, hosts the subterranean mausoleum of Emperor Menelik II and Empress Zewditu.

Other examples of religious architecture include the beautiful early 20th century Anwar Grand Mosque, and the gracious Armenian and Greek Orthodox Churches on the Piazza.

ADDIS-ABABA: THE NEW JERUSALEM IN AFRICA

Holy Trinity Cathedral and Museum:

Built to commemorate Ethiopia’s emancipation from the Italian occupation, the cathedral is an important focal point for the Ethiopian Orthodox church.

As a place of worship, it is considered second only to the Church of Our Lady Zion in Axum (where the original Ark of the Covenant is believed to be held).

Entoto Mountain and Museum:

The site where Menelik II established his capital, Entoto mountain offers excellent views across the Addis Ababa and its surroundings, and a breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the city.

Visit Menelik II’s palace, the church of St. Mary and the Entoto museum.

Saint Trinity( Haile Selassie Cathedral) interior view-Addis Ababa

St George’s Cathedral and Museum:

Following Menelik II’s victory over the Italians at Adwa, he ordered the construction of this cathedral in honor of St George, whose flag he had carried on the battlefield.

The cathedral was rebuilt in the early 1920s under Emperor Haile Selassie.

St George continues to be considered patron and savior of the nation.

The museum holds many exhibits related to the cultural traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Ethnographic Museum of Ethiopia housed in the ancient Emperors palace from Addis Ababa play host to a treasure trove of historical collections. 

ADDIS-ABABA: THE MUSEUMS CAPITAL OF AFRICA

The National Museum of Ethiopia:

The oldest museum in Ethiopia, its most famous exhibit is “Lucy”, the 3.5 million-year-old skeleton whose discovery in 1974 demonstrated that bipedal hominids evolved much earlier than previously thought. The museum also holds many other palaeontological and archaeological artifacts, as well as ethnographic and modern art displays.

The Ethnographic Museum:

Housed in Emperor Haile Selassie’s former Palace, this museum is dedicated to preserving the traditional art, languages and cultures of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups.

The Ethiopian National Postal Museum:

This quirky museum contains every design of Ethiopian stamp from 1894 to the present day, including many of the artist’s original drawings and proofs. The designs reveal a huge amount about the country’s past economic, political, social and cultural life.

Addis Ababa Museum:

Housed in one of the oldest buildings in the city, which was originally home to one of Menelik II’s warlords, this museum charts the history of Addis Ababa from its foundation in 1886, through to the present day.

The Zoological Natural History Museum:

Part of the Natural Sciences department of Addis Ababa University, this museum intends to serve as a reference collection of all animal species of Ethiopia.

And finally some Amharic vocabulary:

Selam: Hello

Ameseginalew: Thank you

Yirkirta: Excuse me or sorry

Konjo! Beautiful (a good word to use in reply to the many Ethiopians who will ask you how things are or how you are finding Ethiopia)

Yeut no? Where is …?