My reflections on the development of tourism industry in Ethiopia.
I am truly sorry that soon there will be nowhere to take travelers, there won't be even a small part of the true world that was left. Ethiopia follows the path of Europe, America - the path of destruction. And there is no going back.
Recently, I posted a post on FB about which I received interesting comments, and as a result, I want to talk more about this topic. Usually, I'm looking at my travels and what I experienced there (not only in Ethiopia) positively and I try to show to others the beautiful, nice, inspiring things from it. But, this does't mean that there is no a "black side". Observing the development of tourism since 2008, there is a feeling that this industry is rapidly sliding down, instead of flourishing and growing up, as one would expect. Of course, there is not just one reason for this. There is a whole set - a domestic politics (under which lies foreign politic), corruption, economy and above all - EDUCATION.
A little of my feelings and emotions, so you can better understand - I don't know about others, but I don't like going to the volcano on a path where there is a thick layer of plastic bottles along the sides. Yes, our groups (others have also been seen) take bags and collect this waste, bring it to the camp and put it in a metal container ... but - that container will never be taken out, because there was no such option for this project. They have thought about how to install the container, but how to take it out regularly (or at all) remains still is an open question. A beautiful asphalt road has been built (a huge investment for the development of tourism) almost to the volcano itself, but what can I see at the end? Garbage around the volcano? And here maybe I support the high price for the opportunity to visit Danakil depression - it separates people who can get here and who can't. But does that exclude "pollutants" from the list? Probably not. Money does not always come together with brains.
And this is only 1 example on this topic. Next - tourists do't travel because they are afraid of the political situation. The unrests are only in one corner of the country, but it has consequences all over the country. There are few tourists, but prices triple and even more. Instead of lowering prices and attracting tourists in a crisis, prices are raised and there are even fewer tourists now.
If this has not deterred you and you have gone to Ethiopia, then what you see when you go a little off the "tourist paths" makes you run quickly to your fine hotel, because there is nothing pleasing there - when they see "white", the locals have 2 thoughts, either you are a bag of money or humanitarian aid has arrived. And I understand them - education is as it is (isn't), all domestic problems (war, drought, lack of water, inflation, etc.) drive people to despair. It is sad to see people exhausted from work, dead cattle and snotty children looking at you with pleading eyes. What can a traveler see here? What tourism development? Guides mainly have only one idea - how to get a bigger tip. There is no understanding of how to teach fellow human beings (including tourists) not to pollute nature, no one has explained to that local child that he should not run after a white person and shout: "money, money!" and have no to throw stones if you don't get anything. All this is the work of local tourist offices. But nothing. However, I have to pay for all kinds of permits, for signatures, for stamps on them, for guards, cooks, guides, for hand feeders and bag carriers, etc. at every step.
If you are brave enough and go to the tribes, then again it's a circus - everyone is placed in a "row" impersonally posing. Also asking for the same money from an ordinary curious wanderer as from a professional photographer who then earns money with his pictures and videos. The logic is where? There is no. I want to see simply how they live, that they exist at all. To the theater I can go in Europe. Cheaper.
And another question, why do I, as a white person, have to pay double for everything? Because I have that skin color? Hmmm...
But despite all this, I will continue to go there and show for my people the beautiful and unique that is still left. I'll put on rose-colored glasses.