Addis Ababa, November 13, 2024 (FBC) – In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), MICE tourism expert Kumneger Teketel discussed the significant growth in Ethiopia’s tourism landscape over the past years, particularly in the realms of conference tourism.
Kumneger emphasized that Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism is emerging as a vital revenue generator for countries, positioning itself as an essential component for economic enhancement. He attributed Ethiopia’s ascent as a favored MICE destination to the government’s concerted efforts in developing new infrastructures and tourist sites and reinforcing the hospitality industry, as well as its strong leadership and commitment to establishing a prominent international presence.
“MICE tourism represents a lucrative sector worldwide, often described as Business Tourism,” Kumneger noted, highlighting the benefits it provides to economies. He pointed out that participants attending conferences contribute to local economies through foreign currency, with many being sponsored by organizations from their respective countries. He noted that conference tourism is a key aspect of MICE, praising Ethiopia’s capacity to host numerous international conferences this year.
While signaling the need for Ethiopia to expand its conference hosting abilities to include international exhibitions, Kumneger welcomed the construction of the Addis Ababa Convention Center as a crucial advancement towards establishing Ethiopia as a competitive global MICE destination. He believes that the nation could quadruple its tourism revenue by investing in this sector.
Kumneger pointed out that the hybrid format of conferences, combining both online and in-person participation, requires the government to enhance investments in technology relevant to MICE tourism. “Ethiopia offers substantial potential for MICE tourism at the city level. Addis Ababa should establish its own convention bureaus. By building on its extensive experience hosting international events, the city can serve as a model for others, helping elevate the nation’s capacity as a whole,” he stated.
He called for investment in capacity building and curriculum development at higher education institutions to fully leverage the country’s tourism potential. Furthermore, he noted that the development of new tourist sites outside Addis Ababa presents further MICE opportunities that could significantly contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
In just the past three months, Ethiopia has hosted approximately 20 international conferences covering key topics including food security, climate change, science, and technology.