Tourism in the Lake Tana Region: Its Potential and Challenges in a Historical Perspective, 1950-2015

Abstract

By making a brief historical survey on the evolution of Tourism in the Lake Tana region, this paper assesses major challenges and bottlenecks that have served as obstacle to tap the region’s tourism potential. The objective of the study is to identify the major challenges that encountered tourism in a historical perspective and to suggest possible solutions to tackle the problems. To that end, data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Firsthand information was gathered using inventory field survey and intensive reading in the archives of different institutions and through guided interview from knowledgeable informants. Data gathered was analyzed qualitatively in a historical method. This paper concludes that the tourism industry in Lake Tana region is not effectively managed and its high tourism resource potential is underutilized.