Unlocking the potentials of community ecotourism: a promising agent of post war reintegration and sustainable development for Ethiopia and Eritrea

Abstract

The article was presented in a launching seminar of ‘Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Mekelle University, focused on ‘Restoring Ethio-Eritrean Relations from Bottom-up: People-to-People Reconciliation and its Contribution to Social Cohesion, Economic and Infrastructure Development’. The paper attempts to explore potentials and roles of community ecotourism in improving the livelihood of border communities and influences post-war re-integration of the society in both countries. The design of the research was qualitative approach. Data sources for this research were aligned to primary and secondary aspects. The primary sources were gathered through interviews with individuals, office holders and experts in the industry and visitors from both countries, and documents. Observations were experienced in the tourist destination sites in Tigrai, Ethiopia. Secondary sources were assessed to address the literature-based discussions. Therefore, findings revealed, the availability of high potentials for community ecotourism engagements in both countries. There are encouraging transport accesses, religious pilgrimages. The availability of variety foods, suitability of ecotourism eco-lodges, seashore in Eritrea; and the UNESCO registered sites and carnivals. There are excellent practices for sustainable ecotourism development linked to the environmental protection and land management. During the observations, Ethio-Eritreans appeared harmoniously enjoying the religious and non-religious carnivals. Therefore, sustainable ecotourism contributes to reconciliation, healing and peace building. The author recommends the participation of all stakeholders in the sustainable development of the community-based ecotourism. In this regard, the sector needs comprehensive socio-economic baseline survey to support the development initiatives.

Keywords

• Community ecotourism
• community eco-lodges
• peace tourism
• reconciliation
• reintegration
• Development – Soc Sci