OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF TOURISM DEVELOMENT IN MEKELLE TOWN, NORTHEN ETHIOPI

Abstract

Mekelle City is found in the northern part of Ethiopia, in Tigray region, Enderta-awraja, at the distance of 780km of Addis Ababa city. The study was done to examine the challenges and opportunities of tourism development Mekelle town .The sampling technique and sample size for this study were selected by purposive sampling .The methods employed to obtain relevant information in this study were questionnaire, field observation, key informant interview and secondary sources of data. Before data collection took place, those primary tools were prepared and pilot tested for improving to get valid and reliable data. The result showed that the majority of the respondents agreed that the lack of adequate infrastructure, lack of documentation ,lack of local communities participation are many challenges of the town; and in the opposite side having good hospitality , good awareness, government attention, hotel and hospitality services expansion in the city were taken as opportunities to tourism development of Mekelle city. The study recommends that sustainable tourism development should be community oriente