Addis Ababa elected as World Capital of Culture and Tourism and official host of World Tourism Day 2020
Ethiopia`s President Sahle-Work Zewde has received the honorary membership of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY for visionary leadership. The official offering of the academic regalia will take place during WORLD TOURISM AND TRAVEL AWARDS ceremony to be held in Addis Ababa in February 2019.
The international recognition comes in the wake of the global tourism institution –European Council on Tourism and Trade decision to recognize Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of African union as receiver of the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM designation.
Addis Ababa is today the home of a vast array of religious sites like Saint George Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, a vast medieval archeological site on Entoto Mountain, more than eight museums encompassing millennia’s of history and ethnographic and historical artifacts of incomparable beauty and richness.
According to global tourism institution, President Sahle-Work Zewde is being honoured for “his visionary leadership through a policy of cooperation with Addis Ababa Government and Mayor Office in promoting the nations values and international standing and supporting the development of sustainable tourism, wildlife conservation, and economic development, recognizing tourists and investment, resulting in the remarkable turnaround that has led to Addis Ababa’s rise as one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa today.”
Another personality that will be recognized alongside President Sahle-Work Zewde is the Head of The Government of Addis Ababa: Eng. Takele Uma Benti.
Eng. Takele Uma Benti was elected as a member of European Tourism Academy for creating a perfect development team with the nations President office and for his visionary policies that envisioned Addis Ababa as a melting pot not only for all citizens of Ethiopia regardless of region or social class but for all citizens of the world that want to come to invest and build a new Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa is conceived by his administration as “a microcosm of our “rainbow” nation, bubbling with all kinds of diversity—ethnic, cultural, spiritual, and economy. A melting pot where Ethiopia’s many cultures meet and intersect. It’s also our primary gateway to the world and Africa’s undisputed diplomatic capital” this is how Eng. Takele Uma Benti had envisioned Addis Ababa future.
This vision was compensated now with the city proclaimed as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM and hosting the Africa`s World Tourism and Travel Awards.
Inaugurated in 2000, the World Tourism and Travel Awards recognizes outstanding leaders and nations, organizations, destinations for remarkable initiatives related to the travel and tourism industry, and in fostering sustainable tourism and developing programs that give back to local communities.
They are awarded on two categories; for the leading national tourism destinations: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD and for leading cities in cultural and historical preservation: WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
–President of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle Work Zewde will receive World`s Top Tourism Award for her nation.
Rebuilt on a strong foundation of reconciliation, and powered by the determination to succeed, Ethiopia is now a leader in education and in environmental responsibility. Its economy is robust, helped by a focus on sustainable travel and tourism
