Avitourism in Ethiopia: Potential Socio-Economic and Environmental Benefits, Current Status and Suggestions for Future Development

Abstract

Avitourism, responsible travel for birdwatching, is the act of observing and identifying birds in their natural habitat and is becoming the most rapidly growing segment of ecotourism. It is providing a new economic potential for many poor local communities and for many threatened natural areas around the world. However, only few countries currently have developed this upcoming tourism market. In this paper, I present a review of the potential socio-economic and conservation benefits of avitourism as well as an overview of its current status in Ethiopia and how this could be improved and exploited to its fullest potential. Ethiopia is mainly known for its tourist value from a cultural and historical perspective the despite the existence of diverse and unique wildlife and avifauna in particular. However, the high diversity, rarity and endemicity of avifauna occurring in the country, Ethiopia has huge potential to become an avitourism hotspot. In order to develop avitourism and exploit its potential benefits in the country, the following activities are required: assigning potential local organizations responsible to lead the initiative; clearly identifying the variety of products available; developing sources of information; training specialized local birding guides; initiating community development and conservation programmes at potential birding areas; and working in partnership with national tour operators and channel partners.