Addis Ababa - At the 13th Annual National Research Conference of the Tourism Training Institute, the Ministry of Tourism highlighted the critical role of quality research and human resource development in sustaining Ethiopia's tourism sector.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the conference, themed 'Building a Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Future', addressed the government's high prioritization of tourism alongside sectors like Mining, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Information Communication Technology. The government's current investments are aimed at expanding tourism by developing new destinations and promoting stopover tourism, leveraging Bole International Airport's role as a major hub in Africa. Girma emphasized the need for continuous enhancement of the sector through strategic research and private sector involvement.

State Minister of Labor and Skills Teshale Berecha also spoke at the conference, underscoring the importance of conducting quality research to improve training and service standards within the tourism industry. He highlighted the necessity for closer collaboration between training institutions and the tourism sector to ensure that research efforts meet industry demands.

Getachew Negash, Director General of the Tourism Training Institute, noted that the institute is committed to supporting the tourism industry through ongoing research and problem-solving initiatives. Among the topics discussed at the conference were marketing strategies for tourism product development in South East Ethiopia, and the management and protection of community cultural heritage, including the medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.