Sustainable tourism master plan for the inter-governmental authority on development (IGAD) region:2013-2023

Abstract

The tourism industry has been and still continues to be a major source of foreign exchange earnings for Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda (World Bank, 2011). Interestingly, the contribution of the industry for the majority of the IGAD member countries to the foreign exchange kitties has only grown in importance over the last ten years. In 2001, for instance, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda earned USD 218 million, USD 536 million and USD 186 million respectively. Moreover, the industry plays an important role in the balance of payments for IGAD member countries. On the basis of the above backdrop, the main aim of the IGAD STMP is to provide member states with a regional framework for sustainable tourism development with a view to contribute to socio-economic development and poverty alleviation and to promote regional integration. More specifically the STMP seeks to: outline the importance of tourism development in the region; analyse in detail the prevailing scenario of tourism development; and to provide a detailed roadmap for the implementation of strategies and actions.