CHALLENGES OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN AND AROUND YIRGALEM TOWN, SIDAMA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the Challenges of Tourism Development in and around Yirgalem Town of Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches with Descriptive research design were employed to address the research objectives. Survey, key informants interview, focus group discussion and field observation and secondary data were instruments of data collection for sources of primary data. On the other hand, the data type that was used for this study is both qualitative and quantitative data. To select survey respondents and tourist sites, stratified random sampling and purposive sampling technique were employed. The quantitative data was analyzed using frequency and percentage when appropriate while qualitative data was used to triangulate and authenticate the study. Tourism potential of the study area has the power to develop the tourism industry. The findings also identified several factors and challenges, which slowed down tourism development in and around Yirgalem Town. Such as insufficient community awareness toward tourism, insufficient promotion and marketing, insufficient cooperation and participation among stakeholders, administration related problems, and insufficient basic tourism infrastructure such as accommodation. In addition, results and recommendations of the study explore the ways to improve and enhance the capacity of local government and other concerned stakeholders to develop the tourism industry in the study area.
Key Words: Tourism Challenges, Tourism Development, Tourism Potential, Yirgalem