The Effect of Tourism Growth on Job Creation and its Determinants in Tigray Region

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of tourism growth on job creation and its determinants in Tigray. Descriptive research design was used in the study. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire from purposively selected 102 hotels, tour guides, handicraft producers and sellers, and tourism offices. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, correlation and regression. The results of the study showed, limited infrastructure hinders stimulation of tourism and employment. Tourism growth has great contribution to employment creation in Tigray. The result indicates more effort is required to improve the factors that can affect tourism growth. Significant positive correlation exists between tourism growth and employment creation. Moreover, the proportion of the variation in tourism growth is explained by expanding infrastructure, accommodations, and education and training. The number of employees under star hotels, tour guides, handicraft producers and sellers, and tourism offices were growing in the last four years. Implications from this study indicate that Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau should work in collaboration with private and governmental local stake holders and international development organizations to improve the infrastructural facilities of tourism and tourism promotional capability.