Addis Ababa, March 16, 2025 (FMC) – The Addis Ababa Culture, Arts, and Tourism Bureau has emphasized that the ongoing development of new and existing tourism destinations in the capital has enabled the city to successfully host numerous international and continental events.
According to the bureau, the growing number of events taking place in Addis Ababa underscores the city’s significant progress in developing its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector.
Deputy Head of the Bureau, Hunde Kebede, told local news agency ENA that while tourism has a long-standing history in Ethiopia, the country has not fully capitalized on its vast tourism resources.
He acknowledged that the sector had previously faced numerous challenges, including insufficient infrastructure and a need for greater investment.
However, since recent reforms, the tourism sector has garnered increased attention and is now being developed as one of the country’s five key economic pillars.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a range of tourism destinations have been developed as part of national programs aimed at benefiting both the country and its future generations.
In Addis Ababa, in addition to the development of new tourism spots, efforts have been made to renovate and enhance existing attractions.
The deputy head emphasized that the improvement of sites such as Friendship Square, Entoto, and Unity Park is expected to boost tourists’ number and extend their stays, thereby increasing the sector’s economic benefits.
He also recalled the construction of significant landmarks, such as the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum and the Addis International Convention Center, which are set to further bolster MICE tourism in the city.
Addis Ababa, as the headquarters of numerous international and continental institutions, regularly hosts various conferences, making it an ideal location for MICE tourism development, he added.
With more than 50 international and continental events held in the city over the past six months alone, Addis Ababa is at a pivotal moment in its MICE tourism growth, he explained.
The Bureau has established a dedicated department to promote the city’s MICE tourism to capitalize on this potential, and actively working to raise awareness among sector stakeholders.
Hunde also emphasized the broader role of tourism in the country’s development, not just for its economic contribution but also for its ability to promote cultural exchange and foster international connections.