The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, has appointed a new National Tourism Board. It will fill the void left by the sacking of the board by the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hirut Woldemariam in April.
The board, established five years ago, acts as an oversight committee for the tourism industry and the Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO). It reviews and approves budgets and programmes and also evaluates ETO’s performance. In April, the board wrote to Woldemariam, drawing attention to queries about mismanagement by officials in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The letter referred to a report addressing the governance of the ETO, following complaints of violations of regulations of the ETO as well as the appointment of previous ETO CEO, Yohannes Tilahun. The board had also proposed recommendations to Woldemariam, hoping to address the issues. It came to a head on April 11 when Woldemariam issued notice to the board that she had dissolved it. She was moved to the position of Minister of Labour and Social Affairs less than two weeks later.
The new board has eight members under the Chairman, Fitsum Arega, the current Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s office. Other members include Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines and former board Chairman; Biniam Bisrat, President of the Addis Ababa Hotel Owners’ Association; and Yacob Melaku, President of the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association; all of whom held positions on the board before its disbanding in April.
New members include the new Minister for Culture and Tourism Bizunesh Meseret, prominent journalist Meazu Biru, writer Daniel Kibret, and hospitality businessman Tadios Getachew. The board met for the first time last Thursday, August 9, following which board Chairman Arega said on Twitter:
In response to HE PM Abiy’s call the Ethiopian Tourism Board agreed today to ensure reduced price & unforgettable experience for all visiting diaspora for #Ethiopia-n New Year. The Board asked ET, Hoteliers, Tour & Taxi Asso’s for discounted package. @Landoforigins @flyethiopian pic.twitter.com/X668YfTKwN
— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) August 9, 2018
On the board’s agenda is making arrangements for a ‘diaspora’ package, aimed at making travel to Ethiopia more accessible for descendants of Ethiopians, and those with Ethiopian roots. To kick-start this initiative, the Prime Minister has been visiting members of the diaspora in the US. The diaspora package will include discounts on airfares, hotel services, and tour and taxi services. On August 13, Arega told journalists that the board had negotiated that a minimum of 25% discount on tourism and travel products would be offered until September 30 for members of the diaspora.
At the same time, Ahmed has appointed Lensa Mekonnen as CEO of the ETO. Mekonnen took office last Monday, August 6. She is an events manager and independent consultant, owning and running two businesses of her own. She holds a degree in Business Administration and Information Systems from Addis Ababa University, as well as a Master’s degree in Leadership from the University of South Africa. She is currently studying towards a Master’s in International and Global Studies at Addis Ababa University.
Mekonnen is joined by Sertse Feresebehat, a musician and former Vice President of the Ethiopian Musicians Association as Deputy CEO, having been appointed to the ETO in June. Upon his appointment, Feresebehat said: “I would have never accepted a position that I don't believe in and I will resign if I fail to accomplish it.”
