Abebe Embiale, the Bureau's Public Relations Chief, shared with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the Amhara region welcomed approximately 8.6 million domestic tourists and 16,956 foreign visitors during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
Notably, these figures represent a substantial overachievement of the Bureau's initial targets. The number of domestic tourists surpassed the planned target by an impressive 91.3%, while the number of foreign tourists exceeded expectations by 67.7%.
Consequently, the state generated a remarkable 5.1 billion Birr in revenue from domestic tourism alone, significantly exceeding the initial target of 3.9 billion Birr. Abebe further highlighted that the overall revenue performance of the tourism sector in the Amhara region was higher than the initially targeted 4.3 billion Birr for the entire budget year.
Beyond revenue generation, the Bureau has also focused on the preservation and maintenance of the region's rich cultural heritage. Abebe reported that damage to 367 monuments was identified and assessed during the nine-month period. Repair work was subsequently carried out on 156 permanent and 425 movable monuments. Additionally, extensive cleaning and maintenance work was completed on 939 permanent and 16,063 movable monuments, ensuring their longevity and appeal to visitors.
Furthermore, the Bureau actively engaged in organizational support and monitoring activities across 10,023 institutions within the tourism sector over the past nine months. These efforts were aimed at enhancing the quality of services provided and fostering overall growth within the industry.
According to Abebe, the positive performance of the tourism sector in the Amhara region is a direct result of the coordinated and collaborative efforts of various stakeholders involved in promoting and managing tourism within the state. This success underscores the region's growing appeal as a desirable destination for both local and international travelers.