Michel Nkurunziza

Ethiopia has introduced its inaugural Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), a crucial initiative aimed at transforming the tourism sector and assessing its impact on the national economy, as announced by the Ministry of Tourism.

At the launch event, Tourism Minister Ambassador Nasise Chali emphasized that the TSA serves as a scientific instrument that equips tourists with structured information, enhancing their experience across various destinations.

"This marks a significant milestone in our journey and is essential for quantifying tourism's impact, ensuring sustainable development, and formulating effective strategies to advance Ethiopian tourism into the future."

The TSA addresses the existing gaps in organized tourism information, enabling the sector to deliver seamless services and comprehensive data, thus contributing a measurable share to the national economy, she noted.

The Minister further explained that the satellite account is instrumental in harnessing the economic potential of tourism for GDP growth, job creation, and attracting investments by supplying vital data for evidence-based policy development, decision-making, and strategic planning.

"Ethiopia boasts a wealth of historical, natural, and cultural resources with numerous tourism attractions, yet it has not fully capitalized on these assets due to underdeveloped infrastructure and other challenges."

Nevertheless, according to Nasise, the government is currently focused on modernizing the tourism sector to enhance the foreign exchange revenue it generates for the national economy.

Gefari Magnara (PhD), the UNECA Representative, stated that the launch of the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) marks a significant achievement for Ethiopia, as it facilitates a deeper understanding of the tourism sector for stakeholders and unlocks its potential. He projected that tourism could generate over 5 billion USD by 2030, driven by an increase in international tourist arrivals.

He emphasized the need to enhance tourism's contribution to national development objectives, including job creation and investment attraction. The Representative also noted that the TSA would have a positive impact on other sectors, such as agriculture and construction, fostering inclusive development.

"UNECA is committed to supporting Ethiopia in establishing a robust financial framework that strengthens the resilience of the tourism industry for the benefit of all Ethiopians," he remarked. The TSA initiative commenced in 2023, in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Development and various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.