EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE PRESIDENTIAL CABLE TO DR. ABIY AHMED THE NEW ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER

Global Tourism Institution President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea has sent a congratulatory cable to the new Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali on his election to the premiership office.

European Council on Tourism and Trade President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea during his official visit to Ethiopia: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2015.

The President’s message reads as follows:

I want to start by congratulating you on the occasion of  the election as Prime Minister of Federal Republic of Ethiopia and as Chairman of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front and take this opportunity to wish you joy, happiness and successes for all your loved ones and a perfect year for ETHIOPIA and his people(…)

I want to avail to this opportunity to wish you a perfect mandate, on personal level with health and happiness, and on government level, a mandate of accomplishments in your exertions for a better future and for development of people of Ethiopia.

European Council on Tourism and Trade and the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia share a long history of cooperation in building tourism, cultural and developmental cooperation between Europe and Ethiopia and we express our goodwill and desire for a continuous cooperation with Your Excellency Government.

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More about Europe-Ethiopia relations can be accessed here:

ETHIOPIA: WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2015

PRESIDENT DR. ANTON CARAGEA OFFICIAL VISIT TO ETHIOPIA

ETHIOPIA: AMONG THE LEADING NATIONS OF AFRICA

ETHIOPIAN TOURISM POTENTIAL

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On behalf of European Council on Tourism and Trade, I express our desire to work closely with Your Excellency towards the achievement of the objectives set in the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, including the promotion of tourism, development projects and the advancement of bilateral cooperation.  

 

Full details are available at the link below:

Source URL: The President’s Office

ETHIOPIA - LAND OF ORIGINS-THE NEW BRAND OF 2015 WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION

Ethiopia was elected by WORLD TOURISM INSTITUTION-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE as FAVOURITE CULTURAL DESTINATION IN 2015 and WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for the same year on the account of landscapes of stunning beauty.

ECTT Academician Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia proclaimed the official launch of the new national tourism brand on the grounds of the 3rd General Assembly of the Ethiopian Tourism Transformation Council.

The tourism executives gathering is the first after Ethiopia was selected WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2015 and registered a historical record in tourism growth surpassing regional tourism powerhouse: Tanzania and Kenya and marking 1 billion dollars in supplementary tourism revenues.

Announcing the perfects results of 2015, Year of ETHIOPIA: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION. From right to left: CEO of ETO-Solomon Tadesse, H.E. Academician Hailemariam Desalegn-Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia.

According to the Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO) CEO- Solomon Tadesse the new brand: ‘Ethiopia: Land of Origins’ is designed to keep alive this momentum based on European Council on Tourism and Trade generous support.

On the occasion, ETO noted confidence that the new brand would position Ethiopia by positively differentiating it from competitors in a way that authentically resonates across tourism stakeholders.

It was also noted that ETO developed the new brand by conducting extensive research in consultation with stakeholders, tour operators and potential tourists in source markets.

The national tourism brand, as stated by ECO, contains the summary promise of “Ethiopia invites you on an adventure in which you will discover the origin of so much: history that is a mysterious mix of myth, legend and fact; culture that is vibrant, creative, alive and shared; and a landscape that is warm, dramatic, primal and teeming with life”.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn noted that: “The reason we have established Tourism Council is to give greater focus toward transforming the tourism sector. This can be realized only when the stakeholders exert joint effort to avert challenges in the sector”.

“We have made a good stride by designing a 10 year master plan for the sector concluding Ethiopian Prime Minister.”

Ethiopia has a vibrant living culture.

It is today a brilliantly diverse mosaic of people`s living together in harmony. Unique century-old religious festivals, colourful celebrations and charming customs like the coffee ceremony – coffee is Ethiopia’s gift to the world – offer you a chance to share the country’s heartbeat and to experience the warmest of welcomes.

Ethiopia was elected by WORLD TOURISM INSTITUTION-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE as FAVOURITE CULTURAL DESTINATION IN 2015 and WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for the same year on the account of landscapes of stunning beauty and dramatic contrasts from the soaring pinnacles of the Simien Mountains – the Roof of Africa – to the plummeting depths of the Danakil Depression, the lowest – and hottest – place on Earth. You will find cloud forests such as those in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve – the sole home of many wild coffee varieties – active volcanoes, hot springs, cool underground caverns, rugged gorges, spectacular waterfalls, rivers and shimmering lakes.

 The largest, Lake Tana, is the source of the life-nurturing Blue Nile.

 Moreover, Ethiopia is the fourth largest bio-diversity zone on Earth and you can see plants and animals here which are found nowhere else.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE FESTIVITIES HONOUR WORLD TOURISM DAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2015

On 27 September, as in every year, Europe will celebrate WORLD TOURISM DAY and 2015 celebration is a special one as the tourist sector is celebrating touching the benchmark of 1 billion tourists.

2014 and 2015 WORLD TOURISM DAY celebration where concentrated on Africa growing role in global tourism rapid development.

In 2014 Zimbabwe-World Best Tourist Destination was the official country at the fore of the universal tourism celebration and in 2015 Ethiopia is taking the spotlight as the official center of WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATION.

The WORLD TOURISM DAY celebration will be held across 27 European countries on 27 September 2015 and will be also marked at the European Council on Tourism and Trade headquarters.

On this occasion the Office of The President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade presented the message of President Dr. Anton Caragea on this celebration of world tourism day.

This is the text of the message of WORLD TOURISM DAY-2015 emanating from President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea Press-office.

 This year´s celebration of World Tourism Day must focus on the ability of tourism to transform society, to enable progress and to empower peoples and nations around the world.

Engaging peoples and nations in tourism progress is the dint by which we are building stronger and more resilient communities.

Tourism it helps people to master a variety of skills and to become masters of their life`s.

 One billion tourists across the world, are one billion opportunities for nations to develop, to integrate, to become better known and ultimately to progress further.

European Council on Tourism and Trade President-Dr. Anton Caragea is welcoming attendees at WORLD TOURISM DAY.

Tourism is having an all out positive impact on agriculture, construction or handicrafts.

In a nutshell, tourism creates millions of jobs and business opportunities.

Tourism is having the capacity to lift people from poverty, promote gender empowerment and help protect the environment.

Today on World Tourism Day, we are celebrating tourism inner ability to constitute itself in a primordial tool to achieve positive changes in communities across the world.

On World Tourism Day, I encourage the international tourism actors and key stakeholders to carve out sustainable policies and ensure that nations and communities worldwide rip the benefits of one billion tourists every year and enjoy the benefits generated by tourism.

THE WORLD TOURISM WINNER FOR 2015 IS ETHIOPIA: BEST TOURIST DESTINATION

The meeting of world tourism leaders had chosen the clear and undisputed winner of tourism industry for 2015.

The country that achieved international recognition is The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia crowned as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015.

On June 25, 2015 the General Assembly of the European Council on Tourism and Trade(ECTT), has taken under consideration the list of candidates for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2015.

Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director of European Tourism Academy presented the list of candidates and the list of reports and accompanying reports for each of the 31 countries registered candidatures.

28 countries representatives analyzed the candidatures for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2015 

Professor Dr. Mircea Constantinescu presented also the figures regarding previous award winner for 2014-The Republic of Zimbabwe who become the most sought after destination and the number one country in Africa, in term of tourism growth for last year.

Lao PDR- 2013 winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION- also crossed the 3 million tourist bench mark, surpassing all the countries in the region in terms of tourism, concluded Academician Mircea Constantinescu.

Afterword, the debate on the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 started at the indication of ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

On the front the voting urne while Professor Dr. Anton Caragea MA, FINS, ETA present the report: ETHIOPIA: THE LAND CHOSEN BY GOD! 

On the debate for the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2015, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) presented a report titled: ETHIOPIA : THE PERFECT CULTURAL DESTINATION; THE LAND CHOSEN BY GOD !

He proposed ETHIOPIA as the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 and as receiver of the FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION distinction for 2015.

The report noted the reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 PRIZE to ETHIOPIA:

• The excellent preservation of humanity landmarks such as: ruins of the city of Aksum- the heart of ancient Ethiopia, Fasil Ghebbi- the residence of the Ethiopian emperors during the 16th and 17th century, Harar Jugol- 82 mosques, 102 shrines, and unique interior design in the townhouses, Lalibela- holy site encompassing eleven medieval stone carved churches from the 13th century, Konso Cultural Landscape (containing 55 kilometers of stonewalled terraces and fortified settlements), Lower Valley of the Awash-where humanity made his first steps and where was found the Eva of all mankind-Lucy fossil’s, Lower Valley of the Omo also containing fragments pertaining to early humanity development and the fossils of Homo Gracilis.

All this sites where recognized as being of world significance and registered as UNESCO World heritage monuments.

Palestine, Russian and Malaysian Ambassadors flanking President Anton Caragea and Senator Florin Constantinescu

• The rich cultural and historical legacy of Ethiopia is not confined to the previous presented list: new prominent landmarks are added such as: Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site, Melka Kunture- Paleolithic site in the upper Awash Valley, Gedeo Cultural and Natural Landscape, Bale Mountains National Park, Sof Omar Cave- the longest cave in Ethiopia at 15.1 kilometres long; and the longest system of caves in Africa-sacred for Islam and for local Oromo population.

In order to fully grasp the natural potential of Ethiopia natural parks and natural reservations we must look at the potential of Simien National Park garnering mountain peaks, deep valleys, and sharp precipices dropping about 1,500 m.

• The ambitious plan drafted by the Government of Ethiopia under the name of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Tourism as a tool for poverty eradication, for local community development and for economic independence is a successful strategy carved by H.E. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Community based, social oriented tourism, promoted by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, is a perfect way of sharing revenue, growing income and supporting marginal and rural communities development.

The way in which social-tourism has become the base for local economic development, providing benefits to communities, makes social-friendly tourism, the lesson that today-the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA is offering to the world.

• Giving tourists access to outstanding and pristine nature and the opportunity to explore nature, to contribute to ecological preservation, and the opportunity to visit extraordinary places.

All these regions and national parks, are a model of achieving ecological and green tourism that must be recognized throughout the world.

• The ongoing development and protection of cultural, religious and historical shrines of the Republic of ETHIOPIA , the transformation of Lalibela into a historical and spiritual centre, offering to the visitors a glimpse into rich culture and heritage of peoples of ETHIOPIA.

Shaking and smiles on the venue of European Council on Tourism and Trade: tourism is going well is the motto!

Lalibela is the land of faith and miracles that must be presented to the world as a center of religious and faith significance equal to Jerusalem only in the world.

Lalibela must be the center of religious pilgrimage and cultural tourism offering to world tourists the complex healing experience of cultural legacy, religious special atmosphere and faith imbued air.

• The preservation of outstanding historical and cultural heritage in the form of the former capital of the Kingdom of Ethiopia, the Gondar cultural complex , an ample palatial complex from the 13th Century, offering a pungent presence of one of the African greatest empire.

• Today, Gondar castle complex offers tourists bound for Ethiopia an open air museum with a rare collection of historical and archaeological treasures that educate and enrich the world.

• The REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA is also a perfect center for safari and adventure tourism, offering large areas suitable for this special kind of tourism, and the necessary infrastructure to welcome the adventure seeker, its safety and peace, makes the country, one of the world’s top adventure destinations.

• Keeping alive community blending traditions, allows tourists and visitors to be part of the ETHIOPIA unique people’s ethnic fabric, which offers the possibility for an enriching cultural experience, are all achievements that make the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA a perfect cultural class destination.

Mr. Mihai Prundianu, Chairman of the Trade Mission of the ECTT, marked the necessity that, out of the regular order, to have another African country declared as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION in sign of continuity for last year and as appreciation mark forPresident Robert Gabriel Mugabe , the current President of African Union and Zimbabwe Tourism Minister-Walter Mzembi.

This year we have to select another African country to mark Europe and world solidarity with Africa and Africa`s Union President Robert Mugabe.

It is appropriate for Europe to express its commitment to, and appreciation for, Africa by crowning ETHIOPIA as THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION AND WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 stated Chairman Mihai Prundianu.

Senator Ionel Agrigoroaiei, Director of European Parliamentary Committee in the European Council on Tourism and Trade and Senator of Romanian Parliament stated the opinion of all present at ECTT conference and declared that the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA is the deserving candidate, with a perfect record of promoting social-friendly tourism, ecological and poverty reduction strategy based on tourism, and asking for a unanimous vote in favor of the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA.

President Dr. Anton Caragea  declared REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015  

President Dr. Anton Caragea asked for a vote and European Council on Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 TITLE TO REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA and to declare REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA- THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in 2015.

The meeting was also presented with the Official Invitation, from the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA via the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Amin Abdulkadir, for a delegation of high ranking officials of the European Council on Tourism and Trade, to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in Addis Ababa, in person, to His Excellency Prime Minister of REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA- HAILEMARIAM DESALEGN, European Academician and outstanding personality in world tourism, today.

Concluding the debate, Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade marked the importance of the moment the most impressive world tourism prize was entrusted to ETHIOPIA.

The safety of the country and the huge hospitality potential of Ethiopia is revealed by the acceptance of the invitation for a familiarization visit of high ranking members of European Council on Tourism and Trade to the ETHIOPIA.

Ethiopia is from today a perfect, safe and outstanding place to visit, the countries gates are opened and all world tourism experts expressed their confidence in the potential and future of tourism in ETHIOPIA, concluded Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.

OFFICE THE PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE (ECTT)