Tourism potential and constraints: considering the natural and cultural attractions of South Omo, Ethiopia.

Abstract

South Omo had been major tourist destination in Ethiopia due its diverse cultural resources. The main objective of this research was to unlock tourism potential, constraints and natural attributes of South Omo Zone. Nine communities from sixteen ethnic communities that live in the zone were first purposely selected and then data was gathered from different target groups using observation, key informant in depth interview and a self-administered questionnaire survey. Out of the nine ethnic communities, the findings showed that Hamer, Mursi, Dassenech and Karo were the most visited and thus top ranked tribes to visit according to tourists. Analysis from tour operators’ itineraries show similar findings with that of the respondent tourists’. The major constraints hindering tourism include inter-alia, the absence of safety and security in some areas in the zone. Begging was observed in all ethnic communities and the majority of tourists suggested its absence from the area they visited. Lack of road infrastructure was another major constraint especially in two ethnic communities; Erborie and Nyangatom. Improving road infrastructural quality and avoiding security problems in the zone should be undertaken so as to further promote tourism development and an increased tourist length of stay in the zone which would be an economically important aspect.

Keywords

• cultural tourism
• potential
• constraints
• South Omo